The coffee-and-doughnuts chain is aiming to expand in untapped parts of Colorado, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. For the record, there’s approximately one Dunkin’ Donuts in the Northeast for every 9,700 residents (I make that 22 cops); in the West, that ratio dips to every 1.2 million people (2,700 cops).

If you do fancy opening a DD outlet of your own, the company is going to make it worth your while. New franchisees who open stores in the aforementioned regions are being offered perks such as a lifetime supply of Bavarian Kreme ‘nuts reduced royalty fees for the first three years and an extra $10,000 for local advertising.

For contributing to America’s rocketing obesity problem, franchisees will also be offered flexible design concepts including free-standing stores, end caps, in-line sites, kiosks and gas stations. The only catch, according to the firm’s own guidelines: you’ll need to be worth three quarters of a million bucks to get started. Here’s John Dawson, Chief Development Officer for Dunkin’ Brands, with some business speak:

“By joining our team, franchisees become part of a nationally established brand with over 60 years of experience and 95% brand recognition, receive the benefits of a multi-million dollar advertising fund in addition to world-class training and ongoing support, among many other benefits.”

The company is hoping to open doors in the West from early 2013. Specifically, it’s aiming to introduce stores in Denver and Colorado Springs, Houston and Waco, Lincoln and Omaha, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and Santa Fe and Albuquerque. If you’re in any of those places, congrats! I, er, guess. At least this lot will be happy.

Dunkin’ Donuts Heading West is a post from: The Inquisitr

Today, June 3rd, is National Doughnut Day (or National Donut Day, if you’re Homer Simpson), and two of the biggest donut chains in the US are using Twitter and Facebook to get the word out to fans about free donut promotions.

Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts fluctuate in prominence depending on location, though both are national chains. If you live in an area only served by one donut slinger, take heart- Dunkin and Krispy are both giving fans and followers a donut on the house today. On Facebook, Dunkin sent the following message to fans:

“What are you up to on Friday, June 3rd? RSVP and invite your frienDDs to one of the most delicious days of the year – National Donut Day!

Participating U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants are celebrating National Donut Day by offering you a FREE DONUT of your choice with any beverage purchase*. To locate a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant near you: http://dun.kn/fV6KeC.

Krispy Kreme’s Facebook page had a message for hungry fans, too:

Good morning! It’s National Doughnut Day and time to claim your one FREE Krispy Kreme Doughnut. The offer is good for one doughnut of any variety per customer at participating U.S. and Canadian Krispy Kreme retail shops (no purchase necessary).

It’s pretty cool how social media really takes these kinds of promotions and ratchets interest to a fever pitch. Do you keep an eye on your favorite brands on Facebook? Are you going to head out for a free doughnut later today?

National Doughnut Day: Social Media and Free Donuts is a post from: The Inquisitr

June 4th, also known as National Donut Day, is upon us- and with it comes free donuts across the country, which is pretty cool.

Thing to bear in mind for this year: Dunkin’ Donuts is requiring the purchase of a beverage to snag a freebie, while Krispy Kreme is just handing out free donuts willy nilly to any old person who walks through their door. (Amusingly, everyone posting on Dunkin’s Facebook wall seems to want to disseminate that particular nugget of information.) Dunkin’ Donuts has been fairly quiet (although it is a Facebook event) on the promotion this time around, though, which could possibly be a reaction to their less than successful iced coffee promotion last month that caused a bit of social media uproar.

Krispy Kreme is also promoting the free donut thing on Facebook and Twitter, but the company is significantly less ubiquitous than Dunkin’, so you might want to check the site for locations near you. And of course, Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ aren’t the only two donut players in the game- local, independent shops could be running the same promotion, so you might want to check those out, too.

Where to get free donuts for National Donut Day is a post from: The Inquisitr

On the heels of National Running Day comes a better, tastier holiday in the US- Donut Day!

Whilst for all too many Americans, everyday is donut/doughnut day, participating Krispy Kremes and Dunkin’ Donuts across the country are giving away their sweet rings of tasty, tasty fried goodness in celebration. Krispy Kreme’s addictive treats come no strings attached, but at Dunkin’ Donuts you’ve got to shell out for a coffee as well.

National Donut Day (or National Doughnut Day, if you’re all intellectual and stuff) was started in 1938 as a fundraiser for the Chicago Salvation Army. The day was marked in honor of the “lassies” who brought donuts to troops behind the front lines in France during WW1. These brave women worked alongside our soldiers, manning (or womaning, amirite?) ”huts” that served up donuts, stamps and writing supplies, and clothes-mending services to US servicemen.

Not near a Krispy Kreme or Dunkin’ Donuts? Check your local donut shop, as many also participate in the free donut party.

Better than yesterday: National Donut Day! is a post from: The Inquisitr

An upstate New York college campus policeman has been charged with stealing donuts.

Sgt. Steve Brody of the Morrisville State College University Police was caught while taking advantage of a free cup of coffee offered to police officers in uniform by the Valero Nice N Easy. While the coffee was free, it turns out the donuts he was stuffing into his coat weren’t part of the deal.

Brody is now accused of taking about $30 worth of donuts over 17 separate occasions (all caught on surveillance videos) and has been charged with petit larceny. The Sergeant declined to comment to the press.

For more on why policeman like donuts, this thread at Yahoo Answers may provide some enjoyment

(via)

Policeman charged with stealing donuts is a post from: The Inquisitr