Hall of Fame Committee to Select 2016 Inductees F
all will be here before you know it and, once again, DDIFO will recognize the pioneers and visionaries who helped build Dunkin’ Donuts into the powerhouse brand it is today. The 2016 Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Gala will be held on October 25 in conjunction with the DDIFO National Conference (October 24 & 25) at Foxwoods Casino and Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. According to franchise owner John Motta, who is chairman of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, “We are hoping to get nominations from across the country, as this brand is well represented throughout the country.” Started in 2011, the DDIFO Franchise Owners Hall of Fame honors franchisees and others who made important contributions to the Dunkin’ Donuts system. The inductees include, from 2011: John Boujoukos, Antonio Couto, Jose Couto, Ralph Gabellieri, John Henderson, George Mandell and Dunkin’ Donuts founder William Rosenberg; from 2012: Manuel Andrade, Brooks Barrett, Jason Dubinsky, John Rader, Robert Rosenberg and actor, Michael Vale famously known as “Fred the Baker;” from 2013: Tony Andrade, Helen D’Alelio, Carl Lisa, Amrit Patel, Dave Segal and Mark Silverstein; from 2014: Carlos Andrade, Joe Batista and Bill Daly; from
8 INDEPENDENT JOE • JUNE/JULY 2016
2015: John Cadete and Guido Petrosinelli.
deserve recognition in the Hall of Fame.
As his committee prepares to begin the careful task of reviewing nominations for the next class of inductees, Motta says there are certain criteria that must be met. “We look at their accomplishments over time so a person in the system for 35 years has a better chance of being selected than someone who’s been in for only five years. But, it’s not about the size of someone’s network or their revenue; it’s what you contributed to grow this brand. You could have only one store but if you’re active in the system, serving on committees and supporting local activities in the community, we would strongly consider you.”
“We will begin the nominating process in the next few weeks and we welcome nominations from any franchisees that are members of the DDIFO.” Motta says you can email him at soccerjpm@aol.com to discuss the nomination process.
Motta says there are many franchisees from across the Dunkin’ system who
“This is a great opportunity to recognize the pioneers of our system, the ones that planted the seed to get this brand and all of us franchisees to where we are today,” Motta says. So much of what makes Dunkin’ Donuts a great brand is its history and its people. The DDIFO Franchise Owners Hall of Fame is where much of that rich history is celebrated and where the visionaries who are shaping tomorrow’s successes will be honored.
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