The Tribune

By CHESTER ROBARDS Tribune Senior Reporter crobards@tribunemedia.net DUNKIN Donuts (Bahamas) is set to open its fourth New Providence store location across the bridge in the Paradise Island Shopping Plaza in a month's time, its director of marketing has revealed. Ash Henderson said the doughnut and coffee giant is expected to move into the old Quiznos location, next door to Anthony's Grill, as part of its latest expansion plan. Nigel Travis, cheif executive of Dunkin Donuts (International), said he was pleased with how well Dunkin Donuts has been doing in the Bahamas, and was excited at the prospect of its franchisee, George Myers' Myers Group, expanding the number of locations on New Providence. Mr Henderson, meanwhile, said there were no immediate plans to open locations on any of the Family Islands. Dunkin Donuts held its 2012 annual international meeting here in the Bahamas, bringing more than 100 delegates to Atlantis. Mr Travis said the company wanted to bring its meeting to the other side of the world where there was a Dunkin franchise. It was held in Thailand in 2011. "We have got representatives from franchise markets from all around the world," he said. While Mr Travis admits that the Bahamas will "never" be one of its biggest markets, he said local sales have been similar to some stores within the US, where 60 per cent of Dunkin products sold are beverages. "The Bahamas is a very good performing franchise," he added. While most of its sold products are beverages, Mr Travis said the US stores saw doughnut sales rise almost to the highest level in Dunkin Donuts history this past Valentine's Day. "Doughnuts are still a very important part of our business," he said. Mr Henderson revealed that the Oakes Field location has proven to be the best performing of Dunkin Donuts' existing three Bahamas locations - the other two are located in the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) and downtown Nassau. Mr Henderson admitted, though, that the location in the new US departure terminal had to undergo some changes in order to increase its traffic. There had been "broad issues" at the airport location, he said. Mr Travis said he was pleased with the downtown location. He personally attended the opening of the store two years ago, and added: "There are great smiles (there). We're pleased with the progress, and are excited to see more development coming in the next year or two."