Dunkin Donuts coming to Red Oak?

RED OAK — An investment group including former Nebraska and NFL football players announced last week Red Oak is one of several communities in a three-state region being considered for one of 12 new Dunkin Donuts.

According to a press release, Savoreux Corporation obtained the rights to open the national restaurant in  “Omaha, Columbus, Norfolk, and South Sioux City, as well as Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Shenan-doah, and Red Oak in Iowa.”

However, in an interview with the Express, Kris Brown, one of the investors in Savoreux, said Red Oak is simply the eastern edge of the territory (which goes as far south as Rockport, Mo.) where they can open restaurants. Where they are going to be opened has yet to be determined.

“Red Oak is in our territory so we have the rights to open a Dunkin Donuts there,” Brown said. “We just closed on the agreement with Dunkin in the last few weeks. Now that we have an agreement with them, we are going to be reviewing all the locations in our market and seeing what real estate is available and what makes sense.”

Brown said they will be considering all types of building options, include purchasing or leasing an existing building, or constructing one.

But he added there will be other factors taken into consideration.

“You have to take into consideration traffic counts, residential density,” Brown said. “There is a whole host of criteria Dunkin Donuts provides us we have to take into consideration. Once we determine a site meets that criteria, we can make a presentation to Dunkin Donuts to open a franchise there.”

Savoureux Corporation, which also includes former Husker and NFL player Zach Wiegert, signed a 5-store development agreement with Dunkin Donuts in April 2011 for North Kansas City.

The additional 12 stores are expected to be opened starting in 2013 through 2020.