Dunkin' Donuts

Leadership

Inspire Brands promotes three executives

John Kelly was named chief company restaurant officer; Tanishia Beacham will be COO for Sonic and Lou Beccarelli chief operating officer for Arby’s.

Financing

How avocado toast, and a few other products, are pushing Dunkin’ into a new future

The venerable chain has already evolved from a doughnut into a beverage chain. Its more recent success has come from colder beverages and menu items aimed at younger consumers.

The Bottom Line: Companies quickly abandon operations in favor of selling them to franchisees. But keeping some locations can be better in the long run.

The cofounder of the Dunkin’ and Arby’s owner also tempered expectations for an initial public offering, at least right now.

The owner of Arby’s, Sonic and Dunkin’ is bringing in the former Autogrill executive to help speed its international growth.

Marketing Bites: Wendy’s tries a Twitter-activated vending machine; Pizza Hut drives the Struggle Bus; Dunkin’ gets into makeup, and more marketing news of the week.

The restaurant group generated $30 billion last year, a double-digit increase, and each of its six brands set growth records of their own.

Plus, Dunkin’ gets in on the NCAA athlete partnership action, McDonald’s teases the annual return of its minty-green treat, and more.

Heart-shaped pizzas, doughnuts and trays; Hard Rock's Super Bowl and Valentine’s specials; football themes at BWW, Subway and Moe’s.

The traditional franchise has acquired some restaurants in Ohio, following parent Inspire Brands’ strategy for brands to own some locations. But it will remain “asset-light.”

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