Baskin-Robbins Opens Charleston, South Carolina For Franchise Sales
Baskin-Robbins, America’s favorite ice cream shop, is rapidly expanding its national footprint with today’s announcement that Charleston, South Carolina is now open for franchise sales. More than 12 new stores are projected throughout Charleston and the surrounding area over the next several years.
Baskin-Robbins currently operates more than 6,000 stores in 35 countries and opened more than 600 stores globally in 2008. With a domestic footprint of nearly 2,700 locations, Baskin-Robbins is now seeking exceptional franchisee candidates in Charleston to be part of an unprecedented growth campaign designed to increase its U.S. presence over time. Built over the last 64 years, Baskin-Robbins currently enjoys 98 percent brand awareness across the country and was named for the second consecutive year the number one ice cream and frozen dessert franchise in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500” ranking.
To fuel this growth in and around Hilton Head, Baskin-Robbins is actively seeking store developers who possess strong financial backgrounds, the desire to maximize their territory’s sales and have a passion for the communities they will serve.
“As the Baskin-Robbins brand continues to develop in South Carolina, we’re excited to provide new store owners with the unique opportunity to capitalize on their territory’s potential, serve as the face of the brand in the community, as well as set the direction of the market’s growth,” said Salman Siddiqui, vice president of global business development, Baskin-Robbins.
To share information about franchising opportunities in Charleston, Baskin-Robbins is hosting a franchising seminar at the Marriott Charleston at 170 Lockwood Blvd. on Sep. 16, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Included in the discussion will be the brand’s new store design, new logo, marketing, training and site selection. To register for the event and learn more, please contact Dwayne Greer at 615-545-7766 or dwayne.greer@dunkinbrands.com
Baskin-Robbins enters 2009 with several new real estate concepts that provide interested area developers with a range of flexible real estate design options. Part ice cream indulgence, dessert-theater and test kitchen rolled into one, the revolutionary Cafe 31 model operates as a high-end dessert bar with unique ice cream and coffee products. Cafe 31 is currently being tested outside of Boston. The traditional concept is an updated, stand-alone store featuring all of Baskin-Robbins’ standard equipment and offerings. Traditional stores can also support a drive-thru depending on the real estate selected. Lastly, the BR Express concept is a kiosk design offering a convenient and simplified solution for malls, sports arenas, airports or other small co-branded real estate opportunities.
“By continuing our history of developing new product innovations and keeping our focus on customer service and business success for our franchisees, Baskin-Robbins is providing a completely new experience in 2009,” said Siddiqui. “We share common objectives with our store developers, which focus on building and sustaining a profitable business and strong brand in this increasingly challenging economy.”
Furthering its commitment to its franchisees, Baskin-Robbins also offers extensive training programs and comprehensive operating systems designed to help build business. A broad franchise support team is geared to simplify operations and includes development and construction experts, operational support professionals, training managers and field marketing managers. Baskin-Robbins also employs state-of-the-art technology and the latest point of sale terminals to help stores run more efficiently and cost effectively. Baskin-Robbins has proven to be a simple business to run with convenient hours of operation, minimal equipment, little waste and a majority of inventory that has a shelf life of one year with proper storage.
