Attorney Forum

07/19/2024

Thinking of Lou Gehrig

Lou Gehrig's decision to pull himself out of the Yankee lineup is one of the most poignant moments in baseball history. On May 2, 1939, Gehrig, known as the "Iron Horse" for his streak of 2,130 consecutive games played, voluntarily benched himself due to his declining physical abilities.

Gehrig had been struggling with mysterious symptoms, including muscle weakness and fatigue, which were later diagnosed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), now commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Despite his determination and legendary endurance, Gehrig recognized that his condition was negatively impacting his performance and, by extension, the team's success.

His decision was both selfless and heartbreaking. Gehrig approached his manager, Joe McCarthy, and told him that he was benching himself "for the good of the team." This act of courage and humility marked the end of his remarkable streak and the beginning of the end of his baseball career. On that day, Gehrig's presence in the lineup was sorely missed, but his legacy of perseverance and team spirit was cemented forever in the annals of sports history.

02/22/2024

I first met Dick many years ago when I was a new N.E. Director of Operations. There was a rustle outside my office as Dick and his fellow Dunkin’ franchisee and sidekick Dave breezed past the office administrators to introduce themselves. Bizarrely they had just landed at a nearby private airport with Dave piloting his own small plane 🛩️. Coming from working with more grounded franchisees, in Florida and the Mid-Atlantic, I wasn’t used to such dramatic franchisee entrances.

Thus began a multi-decade business and personal relationship with Dick and his ever smiling radiant wife and loyal very hard working children. They built their Dunkin’ shop into several other Dunkin’s over the years as I built my own business career. After I left Dunkin’, and became an attorney, Dick was one of my first clients. I often helped him and his family with leases and other Dunkin’ transactions and matters over the years.

There is not enough space in this post to talk about all the strengths and virtues of Dick. But every great franchise system is built and sustained on leaders like him. While he could be blunt and critical at times, Dick was ultimately always a team player. He loved being a leader in his district and he loved the Dunkin business and most of all working with his fellow franchisees.

Before successful franchises like Dunkin’ become marketing behemoths they must first grow and succeed by their shop operational prowess. Day by day. 50 pound hand made donut 🍩 batch by batch. Fresh brewed coffee ☕️ ever 20 minutes - all the time - often 24 hours a day. Dick and his daughters and sons ran some of the best operations in the system.

When it came time for the chain to advertise more, and on TV especially, this was a big change for the system. Dick was a key leader who worked hard and aggressively to convince his fellow franchises to contribute an extra 2% of their sales - dedicated mostly to national TV 📺 and other such programs. It was a lot of money for franchisees at the time and the prospects were not certain at all. Dick was one of the key “bridge leaders”that convinced other operators to take the chance. Increased advertising spend was an almost instant success and led Dunkin’ into becoming the marketing maven it is today - behold the recent Superbowl DunKings ad and resulting national buzz and favorable attention to the brand.

As time moved on Dick and his family decided it was time to sell their stores and they called me to help out with the process and represent them. Sadly, during the transaction Dick passed away but he left a very admirable legacy for his family and a footprint in the ongoing Dunkin’ saga.

We enjoyed great dinners, conversations and times together. Dick would occasionally send me articles about the franchise business which we would chat about over the phone or at one of our lunches or dinners. He once sent me a pure pewter key 🔑 chain attachment molded in the shape of a Dunkin’ Donut cup.

I’ll miss him and working with his family on their Dunkin’ business and I was indeed fortunate to work with and know Dick and be his friend and witness a great franchise leader help build a great franchise.

Today we Closed on the sale of Dick’s Dunkin’ shops. Tomorrow I think I’ll take the day off. Monday I’m on to a new Dunkin’ deal.

02/09/2023

This could well be an interesting case to follow 🧐. Anyone knowledgeable about Dunkin and or franchise litigation?

Company says owner of two East Hampstead shops continues to do use brand after losing rights to it

08/26/2022

Ok

08/26/2022

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