Dunkin' Donuts to Open in Aberdeen in Late May

Pat Corso and Ken Baer stand outside the location of the Dunkin’ Donuts in the former Blockbuster video store on U.S. 1 in Aberdeen.

By TED M. NATT JR.

As of Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Ken Baer and Pat Corso are preparing to complete their transition from holes-in-one to doughnut holes.

The former Pinehurst Resort executives are on the verge of opening Dunkin’ Donuts stores in Aberdeen and Fayetteville, their first since Pinehurst Donuts LLC signed an agreement with the parent company in June 2010.

“We’re just very excited and proud,” Baer said Monday. “We feel like we’re bringing a top-flight product and service into an area we call home. It’s time to jump out of the airplane. Hopefully, the parachute works.”

The Fayetteville store will be in a former Pure service station on Raeford Road and is scheduled to open the first week of March. The Aberdeen store is slated for 1,875 square feet of space in the 5,000-square-foot former Blockbuster video store on U.S. 1 and will open at the end of May.

“We’ve done a really good job of taking an abandoned, run-down gas station and renovating it into something nice,” Baer said. “I know the city of Fayetteville is happy with what we’ve done.”

Baer added that a new door and drive-through window will be cut into the side of the former Blockbuster location in Aberdeen.

“We’re investing six figures to up-fit each location,” he said.

Pinehurst Donuts plans to hire between 30 and 45 full- and part-time employees at each location, and is currently training part of its Fayetteville crew at a Dunkin’ Donuts store in Cary.

“We’ve been offered a lot of help by other Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees,” Baer said. “There’s a lot going on, but it’s an exciting time for all of us.”

Baer and Corso, executive director of Moore County Partners in Progress, got the idea to open a Dunkin’ Donuts while working together at Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, N.H.

“That seems like a long time ago,” said Baer, managing partner of Pinehurst Donuts. “In some ways, it’s almost unreal that we’re about to open the doors. We’re looking forward to coming to Aberdeen and Fayetteville, and being a responsible corporate citizen at each location.”

Pinehurst Donuts has exclusive franchise rights in Cumberland, Moore, Lee, Harnett and Hoke counties through 2016.

“We’ve got to get our stores up in the best locations in those counties before exclusivity expires,” Baer said.

He noted that it has taken 18 months to sign leases at each location because there has been little or no new commercial construction in either Cumberland or Moore counties.

“When buildings become available, you have to be ready because there has been no new development,” Baer said. “You’ve got to catch the customer’s eye for them to come to your store. We’re not like Walmart, where you can put us out in a field, and people will come.”

Corso was formerly president of Pinehurst Resort, while Baer was the chief financial officer. They are still looking for sites in Spring Lake, Hope Mills, Sanford and Fayetteville that will accommodate a store that is busiest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Baer said an ideal location would be about 1,800 to 2,000 square feet, be on the end of an existing building and have the ability to have a drive-up window.

“Location is absolutely everything,” he said.

Together Corso and Baer represent more than 60 years of collective experience in the hospitality industry, including resorts, restaurants, hotels, golf, skiing and spas. They have managed and have been involved in restoring some of America’s most respected resorts, including Pinehurst Resort and Mount Washington Resort.

Corso is now executive director of Partners in Progress, the county’s economic development organization.

Dunkin’ Donuts, which was founded in 1950, has expanded its offerings to include frozen and iced beverages, a full bakery assortment including bagels and muffins, breakfast sandwiches, and an all-day oven-toasted menu, which includes flatbread sandwiches, hash browns and buttermilk biscuits.

Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin Donuts has more than 9,000 restaurants in 30 countries worldwide.

Contact Ted M. Natt Jr. at tnatt@thepilot.com.

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enlightenme 1 year, 3 months ago

Just what we need is another franchise in our area. I will continue to support the small business owner's at Granny's Donuts.

teufelhunden 1 year, 3 months ago

I could eat a bazillion Granny's donut holes!!!

Courseaire 1 year, 3 months ago

An Aberdeen cop pulls me over and said "Gee Son....Your eyes look red, have you been drinking?" I look at the cop and said "Gee Officer your eyes look glazed, have you been eating doughnuts?" I'll see you in six months.

dlb 1 year, 3 months ago

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Arestorer 1 year, 3 months ago

I didnt know the local sales of Dunkin donuts, warranted an expansion..They have sattelite shops in other venues..Are they doing that great of business??? Glad someone is opening a new business,I just hope there is the demand...

teufelhunden 1 year, 3 months ago

They are going to be hiring local folks so more power to 'em!!!

SoPinesNo1 1 year, 3 months ago

I wonder why Dunkin Donuts was chosen over Krispy Creme? I don't eat either, I'll continue to support the locally owned Granny's.

werlaw25 1 year, 3 months ago

Super Super excited! Being born and raised in Mass, Dunkin Donuts is in every corner and has been one of the franchise I miss the most. I'm thrilled it will be here and the location at the old Blockbuster is perfect! You have one new customer here waiting for May..Good Bye Grannies, sorry!

emb6683 1 year, 3 months ago

I'll support Granny's also, but if I have a donut craving on Sunday afternoon, or if I get there after the crowd and the shelves are bare, then it will be good to have someplace else to go.

JeneccaD 1 year, 3 months ago

It's nice to see people who have a vision actually do something about it. That takes a lot of nerve and I wish them the best of luck! And besides all that, Dunkin Donuts is just awesome anyway.

debsalomon 1 year, 3 months ago

What we really need is a made-on-the-premises bagel shop, like Breugger's. Don't know why the one in Chapel Hill closed. They aren't New York bagels, but they're OK...and they make bagel sandwiches, too. Nice alternative to fast food...and much healthier than doughnuts. Now, I'll put on my bullet-proof vest and await the attacks.......

Courseaire 1 year, 3 months ago

"Doughnuts are just a little bit healthier than bagels as a breakfast food. The reasoning comes down to two things: carbohydrates and sodium. Again, while this can vary based on the type of doughnut that you have, carbohydrates and sodium are not as high in doughnuts as they are in bagels. While bagels have, generally, fewer calories, they are worse for you in terms of carbohydrates and sodium content. If you add additional things to your bagel--such as the ever-popular cream cheese spread--you will only add to the already higher amounts of both carbohydrates and sodium in your bagel."

Source: http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/doughnuts-vs-bagels-which-is-the-healthier-breakfast-option.html

skylinefirepest 1 year, 3 months ago

I, for one, love Dunkin!! And Grannies is sold out by ten in the morning...maybe a little competition is what they need.

werlaw25 1 year, 3 months ago

I'll support a bagel shop, we need one too..I'm tired of what we have now..it gets boring after a while.

teufelhunden 1 year, 3 months ago

Deb-Love Breugger's sandwiches! That would be nice here. Would like to see an Indian restaurant like Rajput or Nawab. VOP?

BlueMom 1 year, 3 months ago

You can't beat Granny's, and they are local! They are super nice too and they make my coffee right there on the spot, without me having to mix in the cream and sugar. It's perfect! The locals will know where the best donuts are. Give Dunkin Donuts to the travelers coming through. :):)

BlueMom 1 year, 3 months ago

To add, DD should go on 15-501 - why around the corner from Granny's????

Nezumi 1 year, 3 months ago

Teufelhunden - I second that! We need a good Indian restaurant - I'd be there weekly. Chicken tikka masala - yummmmmmm.

handyssc2 1 year, 3 months ago

Nice job! Our Partners in Progress leader opening up a franchise that competes against our local home-grown donut shop... bye bye $$$.

hondapowa 1 year, 3 months ago

the way i look at it is this...my mom used to take me to granny's donuts when i was younger. even back then they were always sold out by 10 am or so. all these years and they couldnt expand??. and about the comment of why blockbuster?. why not?. like they said all they gotta do is put in a door and drive thru window. its a perfect location. sorry but im gonna have to vote for dunkin donuts on this one. much larger selection and im sure they wont run out at 10am.

TooHot 1 year, 3 months ago

Let's see. Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, Cracker Barrel for lunch, and Olive Garden for dinner. I'm thinking 5000+ calories..... easily.

debsalomon 1 year, 3 months ago

For Coursaire: I'd rather have sodium and carbs than sugar and fat. Breugger's makes whole wheat bagels. Here's whatcha do with these big bagels: Slice one horizontally into thirds. Spread the outside thirds with Laughing Cow spreadable cheese (30 calories) for a breakfast sandwich. Save the middle slice for an open-face sandwich or to dunk in soup, at lunch. Where there's a will.....

emb6683 1 year, 3 months ago

And so what that they are a national chain? They will be hiring 30-45 local people. And the franchise owners are local, at least for this location.

TooHot 1 year, 3 months ago

Deb. Bagels can be real hard to chew. Lots of people go with the scooped out option. But there ain't a huge difference in nutritional value between a donut and a bagel. But lots of people eat more than one donut!!!!!! Specially when the "hot now" light is on.

werlaw25 1 year, 3 months ago

DD adds your cream and sugar as well and more donuts selections. Who wouldn't want to take a dozen of different variety of donuts to your next gathering? Plus DD has many other selections besides donuts. We talking , bagels, ice coffees, etc...

mom75 1 year, 3 months ago

Im glad to see DD coming to town. But not real happy with their choice of location! All the empty buildings or even new buildings being built, why put it right in front of granny's? Couldnt they find a different spot? I'm still going to support our locally owned Granny's!

teufelhunden 1 year, 3 months ago

Nezumi-I could eat that for breakfast. Take a nice piece of Naan and soak up that sauce...my mouth is watering!

debsalomon 1 year, 3 months ago

The competition will make Granny's increase output. DD will hire locals, pay rent and taxes, bring people to that shopping center. So everybody wins except us bagel lovers because what DD sells as bagels are just the doughnuts they accidentally dropped on the floor. The bagels at Fresh Market are passable. All others, simply tire-shaped rolls.

1starmum 1 year, 3 months ago

I prefer Granny's Donuts, but they better get debit card machines otherwise they are in big trouble. they need to get with today's technology! Love Granny's but never carry cash always use debit, therefore I will be going to Dunkin Donuts, most likely!

1starmum 1 year, 3 months ago

I love Grannny's but , They perhaps need to expand and hire someone outside of their family and stay open later. On the weekends I never leave my house early enough to get them and during the week I am to busy and usually don't have CASH! granny's owners if you are reading this and I know you are please get debit card machines and expand your hours!

Thatcher 1 year, 3 months ago

I would think that in today's economic climate, everyone would cheer someone who has risked their capital to open a business, hire local people, will pay local taxes, and provide a product that folks want (doughnuts. coffee, etc.), and that this effort would be applauded. Remember the old Twin Theatre on U.S. 1 by Mt. Fugi? They closed down after the new theatre was built. Miss them? Granny's is great, but there is room for more. Both will succeed if they give folks what they want for a reasonable price.

my3cents 1 year, 3 months ago

Have always loved Dunkin Donuts, had them @Ft Benning, GA and Ft Bragg, NC, now that I'm back home, have been seeing the DD signs for the coffee in local gas stores (making my mouth water), but finally get the donuts--I'll take chocolate creme filled, please, does this mean we have a Baskin Robbins (in the same location) on the way, too?

fugitiveguy 1 year, 3 months ago

Can we have a weight based sales tax?

Bill 1 year, 3 months ago

They stole my idea, DD will do well. I told my wife years ago I would love to build a DD if I had the cash to buy one. All though I hope I am wrong I predicted that Fitzgerald would close when Applebees was built and that Ragazzi's would close when Olive Garden. Good luck Granny's

greentara13 1 year, 3 months ago

Gross! Glad I am gluten free and don't have to eat disgusting globs of immune suppressing wheat and refined sugar. Trying to rock my 40's with skinny jeans! Try yoga not sugar pleebs!

greentara13 1 year, 3 months ago

Yes fugitive guy we should have a weight based sales tax, if you want to eat yourself into disease, you are on your own. The same if you are smoking, drugging, or drinking yourself into an early grave. Support your local Farmers and support American Business, who really owns these chain restaurants?

FightFireWithFire 1 year, 3 months ago

I see more and more "frachisees" opening places and killing off small business in this area. Why is it called "Pinehurst Donuts"? It's in Aberdeen. It appears that everyone wants part of that Pinehurst money draw. Pitiful. People need to get back to good old fashioned owner-operated businesses here in this country.

justmyopinion 1 year, 3 months ago

I thought only the government created jobs?

debsalomon 1 year, 3 months ago

This is fantastic!!!! thirty-five comments, all on subject (except for the Indian restaurant related topic) and nobody started a political rant about Obama or otherwise. Doughnuts seem to be the great American common denominator. Maybe this means Bill Clinton, that great American doughnut-lover, will come jogging down the comback trail.

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Dunkin' Donuts to Open in Aberdeen in Late May

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