On July 1, 2011, Delphi Display Systems acquired the assets of Phase Research, including the Fast Track drive-thru timing systems. One of Delphi’s top priorities following this acquisition was to re-establish its relationship with Dunkin’ Brands and ensure delivery of the highest quality products and service. 

“Fast Track products were introduced at Dunkin’ Donuts stores when the drive-thru first became a key strategic initiative for the brand. As a pioneer in drive-thru timer technology, we helped Dunkin’ Donuts develop speed-of-service and drive-thru timer configuration standards and measure actual performance using Fast Track Timers,” said David Skinner, Vice President of Sales. “We are very pleased to have and continue our relationships with all Dunkin’ customers.”

Delphi provides turnkey site preparation and installation services throughout the US and serves major brands in 47 countries worldwide. With well over 20,000 timer systems installed in QSRs globally, Delphi is very proud that more than 2,300 of those are in Dunkin’ Donuts stores. Delphi continues to support all existing Fast Track timer systems. The company offers free video and webinar training as well as a toll-free customer service number manned by live technical support staff. When utilizing Delphi’s support staff, a striking majority of system problems—about 95 percent—are repairable by phone.

According to Delphi, its new Fast Track 3000 Series Drive-Thru Timer is the industry’s most accurate and reliable system. It is sleek and compact in design and network-ready for high-speed remote access. The system provides real-time speed-of-service data on LCD screens that are easy to read and easily customizable. Multi-colored graphs and other visual indicators allow you, your managers and crew to instantaneously see critical and detailed vehicle timing information as well as how your store is performing against benchmarks.

The Fast Track 3000 Series Drive-Thru Timer continually measures and logs service times and, with Fast Track PC software, makes generating corporate-required reports a snap. You can quickly download timer data; generate reports locally or remotely by daypart, shift, day or hour as well as month-to-month comparisons and weekly or quarterly reports; and automatically email reports. If you own multiple stores, an Enterprise edition enables you to download data from all locations into a single file to create customized reports and execute detailed performance analysis across all of your shops. Cost-effective upgrade packages and trade-in programs are available for Dunkin’ Donuts stores that already have a Fast Track timer but are looking to increase its functionality. 

 Delphi is looking forward to an order confirmation trial with Dunkin’ Brands and hopes to be able to offer its Order Confirmation Systems (OCS) to Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners in the future. Delphi says its OCS displays have the longest product life, highest reliability and lowest total cost of ownership, and they are field repairable. Delphi displays are also readable in direct sunlight, operate reliably in harsh weather and are energy efficient. 

“We remain committed to improving our customer service and doing a great job for Dunkin’ Donuts,” said Skinner. “We continue to evolve Fast Track products to help franchise owners increase their operational efficiency and profits.”

For more information, call Delphi Display Systems at 1-800-456-0060 or send an email to sales@delphidisplay.com. You can also learn more at www.delphidisplay.com.

In just over a year, Sprint has seen tremendous growth in its Dunkin’ Donuts customer base, going from about 100 customers to 1,800. What accounts for this remarkable success? The carrier

Sprint signed its initial sponsorship agreement in June 2010 and immediately invested in optional promotional opportunities, advertising on the DDIFO website and in Independent Joe and sponsoring the 2010 National Members Meeting. Sprint also chose to spark off its new partnership by offering a 15 percent discount on select cell phone plans to any Dunkin’ Brands employee, whether a new or existing Sprint or Nextel customer. The carrier simultaneously implemented its own national marketing efforts to make sure Dunkin’ employees everywhere knew about the special offer.

“We were so excited to work with DDIFO that we wanted to hit the ground running, gaining immediate exposure through the Sponsor Program opportunities as well as creating a buzz with our own efforts,” said Account Manager Caroline Fedele.

In fact, the payoff has been so substantial that Sprint is now working towards offering a discount on Business Solutions to Dunkin’ franchise owners. Sprint offers Converged Solutions (moving from wired to wireless), Machine-to-Machine Technology and a host of other programs. Fedele says with Sprint, deploying a wireless network at multiple remote locations is easy and affordable.

“Sprint’s Business Solutions can be implemented in just days and often leverage existing infrastructure to minimize upfront costs. This enables franchise owners to rapidly and cost-effectively install wireless networks to deliver next-generation applications and services.”

Sprint is the only carrier to offer truly unlimited 4G data plans with no cap or overage charges and is continuing to improve customer service and satisfaction, investing $4 billion in network enhancements. Its Network Vision is an innovative plan to further enhance voice quality and data speeds nationwide. The carrier will consolidate multiple network technologies (4G, 3G and Nextel) into one, seamless network over the next couple of years. When completed, customers will enjoy enhanced service coverage areas and additional network capacity. Launching in late 2011, Network Vision mobile devices will incorporate all three technologies and automatically connect to the best available network.

To find out more or to sign up for discounts, contact Caroline Fedele at 781-367-1057 or caroline.fedele@sprint.com. You can also meet with Sprint representatives at DDIFO’s National Members Conference and is sponsoring a breakout session:

“Access to Capital –Financing Options” Moderated by: Thomas Colitsas, CPA, Edison, NJ DDIFO Director, Panel of Presenters: Scott Kantor, Business Financial Services; George Ziminski, Capital One Bank; Robyn Gault, Direct Capital Franchise Group; Sally Buffum, Fidelity Bank, and Ab Igram, GE Capital, Franchise Finance.

“We are already a GE Capital customer, under another restaurant brand,” says Jim Taggart, principal, Pizza Project, LLC. “After our success with that brand, we were looking to diversify our portfolio. The Brand Management team at GE Capital introduced us to the Domino’s family, and we could not be happier.”

The current funds will help launch Pizza Project’s plan to become a 40+ unit Domino’s Pizza franchisee across northern California.

“GE Capital’s Brand Management team has relationships with a good cross-section of franchise brands. These relationships give us insight into each brand’s development plans and strategy,” said Dave Stansbery, vice president, GE Capital, Franchise Finance. “Our access to brands and to capital made us a perfect match for Pizza Project.”

Domino’s(R) Pizza was founded in 1960 and now has more than 9,000 stores in more than 60 countries around the world, making them the second-largest pizza chain in the United States. In January of 2011, Forbes named Domino’s Pizza as “The Top Franchise for the Money.”

About GE Capital, Franchise Finance

GE Capital, Franchise Finance is a leading lender for the franchise finance market via direct sales and portfolio acquisition. With more than 30 years of experience and $12 billion in served assets, we serve over 5,000 customers and over 22,000 property locations. We specialize in financing mid-market operators with multiple stores in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Our team of industry experts will work with you to help develop growth plans with access to our proprietary industry research and customized tools. More information is available at www.gefranchisefinance.com or by calling 866-GET-GEFF (438-4333).

In business for 75 years, Bederson is an award-winning, nationally recognized company whose staff possesses impressive credentials and a proven track record few can match. Not only does the firm have a rich history of serving small business and entrepreneurial clients; it also has a solid commitment to providing the highest level of personal service. As a client, you will have direct access to and interactions with a team of senior staff and partners who work with you based on your individual needs and their according areas of expertise.

“Our senior staff and partners are all incredibly hands-on, available and invested,” said Partner and CPA Steve Bortnick. “We care about the whole person and focus on his or her business and life goals. Our team works together to offer insightful, sound advice and financial strategies that are based on years of experience but customized to each individual.”

Chuck Persing and Steve Bortnick

Bederson is a full-service accounting and financial consulting firm headquartered in West Orange, NJ and offers services in such areas as:
• Accounting & Auditing
• Business Valuations
• Mergers, Acquisitions & Capital Financing
• Tax, Estate & Financial Planning
• Insolvency, Reorganization, Turnaround & Litigation

While Bederson just came on board last year as a DDIFO Sponsor, the company has worked with more than a dozen Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners in recent years. Throughout its history serving numerous franchisee clients, Bederson has developed a niche in franchisee/franchisor issues. Its staff understands the pressures of living up to franchise agreements and all of the financial intricacies those contracts involve. What’s more, partners Steve Bortnick and Chuck Persing have unique perspectives relevant to the DDIFO community: Bortnick helped to run a family business, and Persing is a former Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner.

“Combining our own owner/operator experience, working with Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees to resolve disputes in and out of court, and preparation of valuations for estate planning and sales purposes makes Bederson an ideal partner to team up with DDIFO,” said Persing. “This experience, along with decades of having provided accounting and tax service to entrepreneurial family-run businesses, adds to the capability Bederson brings to the DDIFO community.”

When you engage Bederson’s services, the process typically begins with interviews and face-to-face meetings. The firm then gathers more concrete information such as prior tax returns and records, franchise agreements, litigation paperwork and history, and the like. Then an engagement letter is developed detailing the terms of your work together, including deliverables, timeframes, budgets and billing. Bederson’s staff works hand-in-hand with other involved entities like insurance agents, lawyers, other accountants and financial advisors, and lending and real estate agents and brokers.

Bederson has just re-launched its website to provide improved information and online services. In addition to the basics about each of the firm’s areas of service, you will find:
• practical financial tools (Events Calendar with important dates like state and federal tax deadlines, Tax Forms Library, IRS Tax Publications Library, Client Tax Organizer, interactive financial calculators)
• a downloadable company brochure
• a secure client login with file-share access
• live Reuters newsfeeds
• a press section with relevant articles and whitepapers
• a sign-up form for the Bederson e-newsletter (to launch later in 2011)

Whether analyzing your profitability and cash flow, preparing your business or individual tax returns, advising you on financing agreement terms or depreciation tax benefits, or providing dispute resolution services, Bederson has the experience and know-how you need to succeed.

“As newcomers to the DDIFO Sponsor program, my firm and I are energized by the commitment of the organization and its members to maximize the opportunities presented by this vibrant and iconic American brand,” said Bortnick. “We appreciate the opportunity to help support the success of the franchise owners in reaching their business and personal goals.”

For more information, contact Steve Bortnick at 973-736-3333 or sbortnick@bederson.com, or visit www.bederson.com. Bederson & Company will also be represented at the National Members Meeting in September and the Mid-Atlantic (IAFO) Meeting in December.

“The whole premise of DDIFO—an organization that unifies franchise owners to band together over common causes and concerns and work towards mutual benefit—is not only a smart way to do business; it’s also really exciting,” said Joan.

Joan began working as an advertising account executive in 1992. In 2000, she took a media buying position with Moynihan Lumber Company. In 2006, she returned to ad sales. These positions afforded Joan a unique and valuable perspective since she served as both a seller and a buyer.

“I got to experience both side of the sales equation. As a media planner and buyer, I learned firsthand just how important it is to have your time appreciated, to be thanked and recognized for your business,” Joan said. “When I returned to sales, I brought that new understanding with me and made sure that my clients were aware of my genuine gratitude. I’m eager to bring that perspective to my work with DDIFO and believe it will be invaluable in developing and maintaining Sponsor relationships.”

“Joan has a great understanding of advertising and marketing. Her experience will be very beneficial to our sponsor community, and I am confident she will provide excellent customer service,” said Coen.

Joan began working with DDIFO on June 6. She has already picked up on several potential Sponsors in the pipeline and is working with them to develop individualized plans that meet their goals within given budgets. She also is open to hearing from franchise owners with leads on vendors they feel are trustworthy and that offer products and services that would be beneficial to other franchisees.

“I can’t wait to take part in my first Members Meeting so I can meet and interact with people face-to-face” said Joan. “I’m excited to get to know the players and grow the Sponsor program in ways that profit both the membership and the vendors.”

Joan can be contacted with Sponsor leads at joan.gould@ddifo.org or 508-422-1161.

The main advantage Kensington Company delivers to Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees is the staff’s unique familiarity with Dunkin’ Brands. Franchise Advisors David Stein and Dave Ron used to sell territories for Dunkin’ and were extremely successful, earning multiple awards and other recognition from the Brand. They know firsthand how Dunkin’ Brands (DBI) works with regard to specific transaction processes, criteria for buyers, newer in-store technologies, products and franchise agreement requirements. When Kensington Company screens buyers, it performs a rigorous pre-approval process similar to that of DBI and presents only the cream of the crop to its clients, those who meet or surpass DBI standards (e.g., food service operations experience, amount of liquid capital). When determining a realistic financial valuation of an existing Dunkin’ shop or network of shops, that assessment is extremely thorough and accurate.

Based in Roslyn, New York (about 15 miles outside NYC), Kensington Company provides services nationwide and has 15 years of experience in national franchise sales. In the past three years, the firm has successfully sold 60 Dunkin’ stores. With a database of 50,000 qualified buyers—both existing and new franchisees—plus its use of a variety of marketing avenues, including website listings and email blasts, Kensington Company is confident it can identify the ideal buyer(s) for you. The staff also know what to look for operationally. They can pinpoint issues that potential buyers might not like and advise how you might address such concerns before engaging in a transaction process.

“Right now, there are so many people looking for a business they can invest in and run profitably,” said Stein. “The Dunkin’ concept stands out from the pack. We receive about twice as many calls for Dunkin’ listings as for any other franchise brand.”

Beyond the firm’s intimate knowledge of Dunkin’ Brands, it also offers services that many other business brokers do not. For example, Kensington Company completes buyer and seller riders and provides referrals to highly reputable, reliable transaction attorneys. It does not co-broker with other firms, instead bringing together sellers and buyers it determines are well-matched. What’s more, Kensington Company has the sophistication and experience necessary to identify potentially complex challenges early in the process and provide innovative and creative solutions that will help you accomplish the best transaction.

As Stein highlights in his presentations at DDIFO Members Meetings, the numbers speak for themselves:

• 97% of Kensington Company’s buyers have been approved by Dunkin’ Brands
• 85% of Kensington Company’s buyers were new franchisees
• 38% of all sales had no financing contingencies

“We are proud of our track record of service to Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners and are eager to bring our expertise and experience to benefit DDIFO members,” said Stein. “Kensington Company is no fly-by-night operation. We’re in it for the long-haul.”

For more information or a free consultation, contact David Stein at 718-490-2218 or dstein@kensingtoncompany.com, or visit www.kensingtoncompany.com. Kensington Company & Affiliates will also be represented at all remaining 2011 Members Meetings.

KK Insurance Agency is headquartered in New Jersey, but insures restaurants and other businesses in all 50 states. Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner clients in New Jersey brought the DDIFO to the agency’s attention, and KK Insurance Agency President Kiran Sondhi immediately initiated conversations with DDIFO President Jim Coen and former Sponsorship Director Amy Levine. Since the agency operates on a convention-marketing basis—finding higher value in face-to-face interactions to grow its business as opposed to other means of advertising—Sondhi felt that working with the DDIFO could be a great fit.

While KK Insurance Agency has served Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees in the New Jersey area for more than three years, Sondhi and his staff are eager to expand services to other regions and believe sponsorship of Members Meetings is one of the best ways to achieve this goal. The agency began by sponsoring the New York/Mid-Atlantic members Meeting in December 2010. It has since signed on to sponsor all 2011 Members Meetings and advertise in Independent Joe. Most recently, Sondhi, Vice President Deepak Vaidya and Marketing Manager Ashish Vaidya staffed a table and met with franchise owners at the Northeast Members Meeting on March 3, 2011.

“We are looking forward to building relationships with each and every Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner,” said Sondhi. “That’s why we’re sponsoring the meetings. It makes a huge difference to speak personally with the franchisees so they understand that they each matter to us.”

In business for more than 25 years, this agency has the know-how and experience to meet all of your insurance needs and prides itself on the highest level of personal service. In advance of soliciting Dunkin’ Donuts clients, KK Insurance Agency worked with a variety of insurance companies to first ensure they were willing and able to meet the needs and guidelines of Dunkin’ franchise owners. Some insurance companies can’t or don’t want to cover businesses that are open 24 hours, have cooking facilities and/or offer drive-through services. KK Insurance has built up a base of 35 insurance companies that can meet these, and all, Dunkin’ Donuts franchise requirements. What’s more, the agency is open six days a week and created a dedicated department of six staff members who work only with Dunkin’ Donuts clients.

KK Insurance Agency offers the following types of coverage:
• Commercial Property
• Fire Legal Liability
• Commercial Auto
• Hired & Non-owned Auto
• Workers’ Compensation
• EPLI
• Crime
• Umbrella

You can easily request a quote online or by phone. If you already have insurance, KK Insurance Agency additionally requests your current declaration page so it can accurately compare pricing, advocate for the best rates and/or discounts and ensure you have all the coverage you need. Once you agree to a recommended policy, the agency sends forms for signing via fax or email and offers secure electronic payment options. Your coverage becomes active upon payment. KK Insurance Agency has dedicated staff members who only process certificates for proof of insurance, so you can have this documentation immediately (in advance of the actual policy arriving in the mail) in case you need to share it with the bank, a landlord, etc. The process is that simple.

“Our goal in working with Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners is to offer a streamlined process to meet all of their insurance needs with the highest level of personalized customer service,” said Sondhi. “We enjoy the relationships we’ve already built with Dunkin’ franchisees and look forward to serving more of them in the future.”

For more information or to request a quote, contact Ashish Vaidya at 866-554-6799 or ashish@kkinsuranceagency.com or visit www.kkquote.com.

“The goal of our company is to save our customers money, plain and simple,” says Glacial Energy Vice President of Marketing Gary Bostwick. “That’s even how our business model is structured. From streamlined systems to advanced back-office infrastructure, we make every effort to minimize operating costs and pass on those savings to our customers.”

Working in the deregulated electricity market for more than six years and natural gas for about a year, Glacial Energy has the experience and know-how to handle the needs of commercial consumers of all sizes, but its niche is small to mid-sized businesses. The company has worked with Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners since 2007 and currently supplies energy to more than 70 individual shops in six states.

Typically the process for new customers begins with an energy analysis. A potential business customer provides a copy of its latest utility bill to Glacial Energy. The energy supplier then accesses the customer’s previous year’s bills and performs a historical analysis comparing those charges against what the customer would have been charged had Glacial Energy been its supplier. In nearly all cases, customers discover they would have saved money with Glacial Energy and many decide to make the switch right away.

There are several advantages Glacial Energy offers, aside from direct savings on utility costs:

•  No long-term fixed-rate contracts. Contracts run on a month-to-month basis using index pricing, so Glacial Energy works each month to identify and purchase the cheapest energy available and is able to quickly react and adjust to changes in market pricing.
•  No interruptions in service and no switching, maintenance or cancellation fees.
• Flexible billing options that help you manage energy costs.
• Customized billing services, such as consolidating multiple accounts from different locations in a single statement and providing billing summaries to multiple parties in an organization.
• Localized customer service. Customers can access a live customer care representative by phone from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Voicemail, Web and E-mail customer service options also exist, and responses are promptly delivered.
• Modernized operations like paperless billing and payment via EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) reduce overhead and provide customers with simplified options.
• Private ownership means no stockholders to answer to, no pressure to achieve specific profit margins. 

Along with its basic energy supply services, Glacial Energy offers two optional programs to its customers. Glacial Cares and Glacial Green Energy give customers the opportunity to feel even better about their energy supply choices.

By signing up for Glacial Cares, you can simultaneously benefit a local charity as you boost your own bottom line with energy savings. Through this program, a percentage of what you pay each month in energy costs goes directly to your selected nonprofit organization. You can designate any charity, and Glacial Energy will work with the organization to set up and manage your ongoing donations.

“Glacial Cares has been a very successful program, which we created to help give back to the communities where our customers are located and to the recipients the customers choose,” says Bostwick.

With Glacial Green Energy, you can opt to get your electricity from renewable sources like solar, wind and hydro, which generate far less pollution and fewer greenhouse gas emissions than fossil-fuel sources. On behalf of its Green Energy customers, Glacial Energy purchases Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) through a nationally-certified program. A REC represents electricity generated from renewable sources, and buying RECs helps to bolster the green movement overall. Since renewable energy tends to be more expensive, Glacial Energy allows customers to assign a specific percentage of their energy usage to “green” sources while the remainder comes from traditional sources. There are a number of options available. And you can make your own customers aware of your green activity by displaying your Glacial Green Certificate in your shop along with semi-annual reports from Glacial Energy that detail how much renewable energy you’ve used.

“These days, green energy is on everyone’s mind,” says Bostwick. “Many of our existing and potential customers want a green option when purchasing electricity and Glacial Green gives them that choice.”

It’s important to note that even when you choose Glacial Energy as a supplier, you will still receive a bill from your local utility for delivery charges since the local utility owns and maintains the lines. Delivery charges typically account for about one-third of your utility costs. Glacial Energy is currently licensed to do business in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Texas and California (Illinois and Texas electricity only; Virginia natural gas only). As new markets or states are deregulated, Glacial Energy may pursue additional licensing.

For more information or to request an Energy Analysis, contact Glacial Energy at 888-452-2425 or submit a request via the Glacial Energy Dunkin’ Donuts microsite. Or stop by the Glacial Energy table at the Northeast Members Meeting on March 3 in Westborough, Massachusetts.

Sprint is dedicated to communicating directly with franchisees on a local level and, in addition to providing first-rate wireless solutions, offers unique discounts and special pricing for franchise owners and their employees. Due to the aggressive development of its 4G network and devices, Sprint is ready and able to help you streamline and augment communications within your stores, leading to more efficient operations, as well as higher levels of productivity and customer satisfaction.

“At Sprint, we want to be the best, so we constantly pursue and develop the newest and greatest technologies that will empower our business customers,” said Account Manager Caroline Fedele. “With powerful 3G and 4G networks, the best lineup of devices and affordable rate plans, we present some incredibly attractive options for franchise owners to make technology work more effectively for them.”

Sprint Cradlepoint MBR1200 wireless router

Sprint began deploying its 4G network in 2008 and, with its aggressive 4G rollout, is far ahead of the competition. Sprint 4G delivers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G and is currently available in more than 60 metropolitan areas nationwide. By the end of the year, the carrier expects to cover more than 120 million people with 4G. At present, Sprint offers 11 different 4G-enabled devices, including phones, embedded laptops, routers and connection cards. 

Sprint’s all-in-one wireless solutions for franchise owners facilitate wireless POS transactions, as well as options for integrating security cameras and backup wireless redundancy for POS terminals. These solutions give you the freedom to remotely manage and troubleshoot issues, instantly increasing efficiencies. For example, the ability to tackle and rectify a POS issue remotely means you can immediately address the problem and reduce system downtime. There’s no need for you or another member of your team to jump in the car and travel to the location. Another advantage is the ease of setup. Establishing service through a wireline provider (e.g., a T1 line) typically takes 45 to 60 days. With Sprint, service is launched in just two days.

Sprint Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless

Sprint also presents some easy ways for you to improve customer satisfaction and potentially increase in-store traffic. For under $50 per month (or less, if you implement the system in multiple shops), you can provide your customers with in-store Wi-Fi access via the Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless from Sprint. The Overdrive can support five Wi-Fi devices simultaneously through a single connection.

Special pricing is available to franchise owners depending on the volume of devices purchased from Sprint. All employees, however, are automatically eligible for discount pricing. Whether new or existing Sprint or Nextel customers, both you and your staff are entitled to 15 percent off select plans.

“Our Dunkin’ Donuts discount pricing gives franchise owners an additional employee benefit,” Fedele said. “It’s an incredibly powerful tool to attract and retain high-quality employees at no additional cost to the franchisee.”

With a constant eye on distinguishing itself from the competition, Sprint is the only carrier to include Any Mobile, AnyTime^SM minutes in most of its plans. This feature offers unlimited calling with any U.S. wireless user, unlimited text and picture messaging, unlimited Web, email and social networking, and unlimited GPS navigation while on the Sprint network for the same price that AT&T and Verizon charge for unlimited talk only. The potential savings are enormous as most customers experience a 30 to 40 percent decrease in the number of minutes on their plans.

“We are so pleased about our role as a DDIFO Sponsor,” Fedele said. “It seems like such a natural fit for us because Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees are just as committed as Sprint is to customer and employee satisfaction, and to simply running a business the way it should be. We look forward to many years of supporting franchisees with solutions that matter.”

For more information, check out the Sprint DDIFO Members microsite or contact Caroline Fedele at 781-367-1057 or caroline.fedele@sprint.com.

 WDFA prides itself on fearless innovation, ethical responsibility and exceptional service all focused on maximizing your return on investment. Each and every campaign is designed for measurable impact. WDFA’s staff works to evaluate a campaign’s effectiveness and make adjustments to increase value and success. While the company happily offers traditional marketing services like direct mail and door-hangers, it also specializes in non-traditional tactics.

 “As far as our tactics go, the possibilities are endless. We start with acquiring the best data that is available on the target customer, and then work tirelessly until we find the best way to drive them to your door,” said WDFA Marketing Executive Vice President Jason Fordley. “Whether it’s traditional print media, direct-to-door, cultural marketing or more innovative guerrilla tactics we can handle it all. We find that on the franchise level, micro-targeting within the community is a reliable way to ensure that we’re staying where your customers are, so that we don’t waste any of your budget, but we’ve also done full zip code saturations.”

 Under the umbrella of micromarketing, WDFA’s guerilla marketing campaigns often involve street teams – called brand ambassadors – who connect directly with your customers in the neighborhood or at community events. WDFA retains only the most reliable and passionate people who are able to drive more customers to your shop and boost your bottom line.

 Here are just two examples of successful WDFA strategies:

Sending brand ambassadors to a community event (e.g. movies in the park, a local outdoor concert) with “jet packs” of complimentary coffee or Coolatas: As they entice a consumer with free beverage samples, they simultaneously offer a flyer or coupon designed to bring that person into your store. Depending how close the event is to your shop, the brand ambassadors can even use sidewalk chalk to visually lead customers to your doorstep.

Orchestrating “guerilla projections” for shops that are open at night: WDFA has two different types of special projectors to “broadcast” your signal, so to speak. A large projector shines still shots or actual movies on a nearby building or wall. Using hand-held projectors, about the size of a cell phone, WDFA brand ambassadors cast images on the ground, surrounding buildings, even parked cars. Again, once they’ve drawn consumer interest, they follow up with a targeted flyer or coupon that drives customers to you.

“Our non-traditional, attention-getting methods might seem unconventional, but they help to ensure that the tactics drive sales,” said Fordley. “For example, there are so many people handing out flyers on the street that people often try to avoid them. But the right location at the right time, with a little something extra—sidewalk chalk, mini-projections, or just a really fun personality—that changes the game. People actually want that flyer; they seek it out! And that’s what it’s all about for us—finding a way to maximize the effectiveness of a tactic. If our clients don’t feel the ‘WDFA effect’ in their bottom line, then we’re out of business.”

Another key element is WDFA’s quick turn-around on orders. For example, a flyer or coupon piece can move from conversation to design to delivery within just a few days. And, because of the volume of work WDFA does with its nationwide trusted vendors and suppliers, you’ll save on production costs. What’s more, if you own multiple shops and want to launch a concurrent campaign across all of them, this usually means more savings: The more stores involved, the lower the cost.

WDFA offers countless strategies, including utilizing social media and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to capture new customers and keep “regulars” coming back for more. Basically, whatever you want to accomplish in terms of promotion, WDFA has a way to get you there. Whether you want to follow a traditional route or are looking for unconventional tactics, WDFA can help tailor your marketing in ways that will most effectively reach customers and drive sales.

“We look forward to working with Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners as we feel that our arsenal of tactics and our collective drive to succeed can be a major asset,” Fordley said. “‘Partnership’ is a very important word to us, so we’ll do what it takes until our client thinks of us in terms of a strong, reliable partner that can be trusted to drive sales whenever it’s needed”.

For more information or to launch a campaign, contact Jason Fordley at 646-240-4880 or jasonf@wdfamarketing.com.

Learn more at: WDFA Marketing