Posted on 08/28/2006 10:10:09 PM PDT by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
Retiring Chicago officers opening Dunkin' Donuts in Libertyville
Like any business owners, the Evans brothers are a bit edgy as the grand opening approaches.
The bagel oven needs to be calibrated, there is a major glitch getting the credit card machine installed, and dozens of other details demand simultaneous attention. Though stressful, getting Libertyville's first Dunkin' Donuts franchise up and running isn't in the same league with their career jobs, however.
Jim Evans is a Chicago police detective and brother Tom is also a police officer assigned to the same North Side area. With about 35 years' combined experience, they are looking toward retirement and second careers.
Yes, the cops and doughnut jokes get stale. Although they've heard it a million times, the Evans brothers shrug off the inevitable observations. In this case, it could be a competitive advantage.
"We're not shying away from it," Tom said. "It doesn't bother us - we're a bunch of jokers anyway. It actually works in our favor."
For the record, police officers aren't at those places for the food, he said.
"It's not so much the doughnuts. You're on midnights, it's been a long day, you want to sit down someplace and have a hot cup of coffee."
That partially explains why they chose coffee rather than fast food, for example, as the core of their venture. So how did they decide on the not-so-mean streets of Libertyville to open shop?
The short answer is a third brother, Larry, who has owned and operated a dry cleaning business in Northfield for 25 years. He had considered a franchise of some type to fill an empty space and has had buyout offers from various companies who want the land.
After researching franchise opportunities, Larry suggested Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins as having the most flexibility and opportunity. The brothers forged a partnership about three years ago.
Several locations were investigated but there was always something wrong, according to Tom.
Larry noticed the Grand Plaza shopping area under construction along Peterson Road west of Milwaukee Avenue as he was driving to the Libertyville Sports Complex.
"It was an accident," Tom said.
A fortunate one, it turns out, as they have already been welcomed to the neighborhood.
"We get the sense of community we don't have in Chicago," Jim said. "We've introduced ourselves to every shop owner on the (Peterson Road) strip. They've wished us well, offered us help."
Libertyville is their first venture, but they have a second store development agreement to pursue. They have become so enamored with the community that they plan to move here when they retire.
"We're all going to transition out of our jobs to a new life," Tom said. "We want to build a network of seven to 10 stores."
The brothers have a 10-year lease, with two, five-year options.
With the opening tentatively scheduled for Saturday, they are using vacation time to prepare and to be on hand for the debut and early going. Larry will manage the day-to-day operations initially.
They plan to be more than by-the-book owners, relying as much on a sense of humor, the gift of gab and common sense.
"We've gone into it looking through the eyes of a customer," Jim said. "We want them to know the Evans brothers, not another Dunkin' Donuts or another restaurant."
Retiring officers opening a donut franchise. It just doesn't get better than that.
:-)
That's exactly why I thought this article was worth posting on FR!
Anyone who tries to rob that donut shop is in for a big surprise.
I used to hear mention of a "topless" donut shop.
Every now and then, for about six-eight years someone would give it a write-up. Last I read, it finally closed. I guess after a while, the donuts had to be good...
Ping
Too bad that all donut shop owners in Illinois can't have the same rights as these two cops.
Great post, NJAPF.
:-)
You wanna a dougnut?...I got your dougnut!
now the boyzinblue can get them wholesale.
Do you think all their cop friends will show up and expect freebies on a regular basis? ;-)
Thanks! I thought it would be good "fodder" for the FReepers inclined to charge up a thread with humor. :-)
When you're ready for a road trip to Libertyville, let me know! ;-)
Whenever we hear a police siren we say a new batch of donuts just came out of the oven.
Tales from the Donut Shop: The Funniest True Police Stories As Told by the Officers Themselves
After eight years, maybe they should have brought in some "perkier" counter gals...
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