FranDawgs

The Man Who Owns Over 100 Dunkin’s


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Raj Patel is one of the most prolific franchise operators in the country.

His family started with one Dunkin’ in the late 1980s — today, Raj oversees a 100+ unit portfolio across Dunkin’, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and several other brands.

In this episode, we go deep into:

  • How Raj decides which brands to bet on

  • Why leadership matters more than food

  • What it’s really like to scale from 1 store to 100+

  • How he evaluates new builds vs acquisitions

  • Why Dave’s Hot Chicken felt like a “lottery ticket” — and actually paid off

  • This is a rare look into how elite multi-unit operators think about growth, risk, and long-term portfolio strategy.

    If you’re serious about franchising, scaling restaurants, or building a durable operating business — this episode is for you.

    ⏱️ KEY TOPICS / CHAPTER THEMES (for platforms that surface these)
    • Growing from 1 Dunkin to 100+ stores

    • How Raj evaluates franchise brands

    • Dunkin as a portfolio “engine”

    • Betting early on Dave’s Hot Chicken

    • Why leadership beats product

    • Development vs acquisition strategy

    • Real estate, construction costs, and ROI

    • The future of QSR and drive-thru brands

    • ...more
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      FranDawgsBy Patrick Buckley

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