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Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc., the parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, is looking to increase the number of minority-owned franchises. It has partnered with the NAACP to start a Diversity Franchising Initiative. The initiative’s goal will be to increase the number of African-American owned franchise businesses in the U.S., reports Target Market News.

Dunkin’ Brands and the NAACP will jointly offer people of color in-depth franchising education and training as well as assistance in overcoming financial challenges on the road to  becoming a franchise owner.

“Franchising can be a powerful economic tool that further enables the African-American community and others to realize the American dream of business ownership,” said Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO of the NAACP during the partnership announcement. “We are excited to announce this unique partnership with Dunkin’ Brands and to improve opportunities for people of color in the franchising sector because of the substantial impact these agreements have on empowering and employing people of color.”

“The Dunkin’ Brands Diversity in Franchising Initiative will provide education, networking opportunities and information on critical topics including access to capital,” said Dedrick Muhammad, senior director of the NAACP Economic Department. “Ultimately, we hope this program helps to increase the number of African-American franchise business owners in the U.S in both the short and long term.”

Dunkin’ Brands’ has already been working on expanding its franchisee ownership by working with local community lenders to helping potential franchisees overcome financial obstacles.

“Working together, our goal is to increase African American participation in the franchise industry, not just with Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, but across a wide spectrum of franchising concepts available in the marketplace,” said Grant Benson, CFE, vice president of global franchising and business development, Dunkin’ Brands.

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