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Dunkin' Independent Franchisee Association Names Coen Acting President

Posted Mon, 2008/12/01 - 11:35 by Don Sniegowski
BELLINGHAM, Mass. (Blue MauMau) — The largest independent Dunkin' Donuts franchisee association has named Jim Coen as its new acting President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Coen will remain on the DD Independent Franchise Owners board of directors and will take over today from Mark Dubinsky, who tendered his resignation after two years as DDIFO President.

Mr. Coen is Executive Director of the New England Franchise Association, is the founder of Franchise Perfection, and is a frequent correspondent of franchise news on Blue MauMau. He has been a DDIFO board director since May, 2008.

Jim Coen

In his interim role as acting president, Coen will continue DDIFO efforts to support all franchisees. "I thank the board for the confidence they have placed in me, I look forward to working with the Board and the members. DDIFO has incredible opportunities to support existing members, implement its mission, grow membership and improve the organization's capabilities,” said Coen.

Dunkin' Donuts franchise owners banded together to create DDIFO in 1989 to protect franchisee assets. Acting independently from Dunkin' Brands and in the self-interest of its franchisee members, the association provides owner benefits beyond those offered by Dunkin’ Brands.

“We are very pleased to have Jim Coen assume the role of acting President of our organization,” says Kevin McCarthy, Chairman of the DDIFO board. “This is a critical time for franchisees because of the economic uncertainty. The DDIFO board is confident that Jim’s experience and skills will serve members well during this transitional period. We are also very grateful to Mark Dubinsky for all he did on behalf of the DDIFO and wish him continued success in his business endeavors.”

Dubinsky says, "I have been honored to serve as DDIFO president and am gratified by the many successes we enjoyed over the past two years, including the passing of the Rhode Island Fair Dealership Act and the addition of new, valuable business services for our members.” 

DDIFO is currently engaged in a nationwide search for a permanent successor to Dubinsky.

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Let's give Jim our full support by A DDIFO Member
Submitted by A DDIFO Member on Tue, 2008/12/02 - 00:04.
I recently spoke to Mark about his decision to leave his position as DDIFO president. He told me that he did this for personal reasons and that his business interests outside of the DDIFO were requiring all of his attention. Mark is an uncommonly bright and dedicated leader. Jim Coen has big shoes to fill, but Mark assured me that Jim is a highly capable leader and he is 100% dedicated to the success and the growth of our association. Let's give Jim our full support. On behalf of all DDIFO members let's thank Mark for his considerable efforts and wish him well on his businesses. I have known Mark for many years. He will certainly be successful at anything he does. -- A Loyal Multi-Shop DDIFO Member
Did the DDIFO board cave under franchisor pressure by Guest
Submitted by Guest on Tue, 2008/12/02 - 01:42.
I wonder why Dubinsky REALLY left??? Did the DDIFO board cave under franchisor pressure to remove him like the NAASF board did with Jim Hansen? Jon Luther, like Fred Deluca, is capable of just such a nasty tactic!
Jon Luther vs. Joseph Stalin by Guest
Submitted by Guest on Tue, 2008/12/02 - 01:59.
Ya. Jon Luther liked reading public critisism of Dunkin's sharp business practices about as much as Stalin liked disodents in his ranks. Stalin had his disloyal comrades shot or sent to Siberia; Luther just has them disenfranchised! Dubinsky had the guts to call Dunkin' Brands on their shenanigans (many times). I bet Luther had Dubinsky "removed."
Dispense with the conspiracy theory... by Mark Dubinsky
Mark Dubinsky's picture
Submitted by Mark Dubinsky on Fri, 2008/12/05 - 10:22.
Dear BMM readers-- Please let's dispense with the conspiracy theory, posthaste. I left the DDIFO presidency completely on my own accord. Mr. Luther had nothing to do with my departure, whatsoever. Simply stated, my non-DDIFO business interests needed more of my attention than I found myself able to give them. Too, I felt the DDIFO was getting short-changed by my inability to dedicate sufficient time to my position, as I felt it properly deserved. Accordingly, I "released" my position to a successor who could give the DDIFO sufficient focus and attention required to get our association to the next level. I wish Jim Coen, our new president, our business associates, our DDIFO board, and most importantly our loyal franchisee / members the greatest of success in the future. We have yet to scratch the surface of what's possible working together for our common success. ___________________ MKA Management, LLC Mark A. Dubinsky CEO / Managing Member
Re: Jon Luther vs. Joseph Stalin by Guest
Submitted by Guest on Tue, 2008/12/02 - 11:02.
Let's get some new products out there. You can say Luther is the head but yet he can't get any new SMART blood (MBA's) into the company. RR came alone and all the old boys cut him down. All these guys running the show are from the old school and home grown and therefore really cannot think out of the box. They still think of DD as a donut shop and it aint anymore. Schools are cutting back on high fat high caloric items and won't even let the teachers in the school with coffee cups b/c kids think donut and there is a huge obesity problem. Where is the soup, sandwiches and other items to get the people back into the stores after 10 AM. More donuts is not cutting it anymore.
franchisees could not stand to be in the same room by Guest
Submitted by Guest on Wed, 2008/12/03 - 01:15.
Robert Rodriguez (former president of Dunkin Donuts) was a tyrant of the highest order. Most franchisees could not stand to be in the same room as him. Pick Up Stix Restaurants can have him! Good riddance. Will Kussell is much better liked by franchisees; at least he has a clue.
Will Kussell by Guest
Submitted by Guest on Thu, 2008/12/04 - 13:20.
Agreed. While Will Kussell has the franchisor's agenda to execute that isn't always in tune with franchisee agendas, he at least is respectful and professional and actually takes time to listen to franchisees and the DDIFO. Will even came to a meeting of the DDIFO and negotuiated the franchise agreement and was genuinely concerned with getting franchisee buy in. Franchisees did not get all that they wanted, of course, but they had a seat at the table. Considering that franchisees own 100% of the stores, that's smart business. Kussell also realizes thatf ranchisees need to make money if theya re going to build more stores. It seems like common sense, but his predecessor didn't have it. That never happened with Rodriguez. You were just called in to be told your orders. Things have changed in that regard, but there are big shake ups under Kussell right now with Jimmy Fitzgerald taking over the jobs of a lot of executives that were let go. THere is much confusion right now and DDIFO is needed more than ever. Good luck and congratulations to Mr. Coen. I am sure he will do a great job in this tough time.

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