Clear Skies Ahead?

116 Pages·2014·23.44 MB·English

BOOMTOWNS 2015 • EMAIL DO’S & DON’TS • SECRETS OF THE BEST FAMILY BUSINESSES
NOVEMBER 2014
TCBMag.com
CClleeaarr SSkkiieess
AAhheeaadd??
After two bankruptcies and millions in cumulative
Sun Country Airlines
losses, has found
smooth air? TCB goes inside the airline’s wild ride.
$3.99
11
08 74470 66912
INDUSTRIAL SITES
REVIEWED, APPROVED
AND READY FOR YOU
IN WISCONSIN.
Businesses that open their doors in Wisconsin know they are opening certification of development-ready sites across the state. In simpler terms,
themselves up for unique advantages. Our state creates new opportunities we have in place all the key reviews, documents and assessments most
for business growth by taking a bold approach to economic development, commonly required for industrial use. This means a great reduction in time
policies and initiatives. and risk for businesses eager to grow In Wisconsin®.
One example of this forward thinking is found in our Certified In Wisconsin For a complete list of certified sites, call 855-INWIBIZ (toll free) or
program. It’s designed to create and enact consistent standards for visit Certified.InWisconsin.com.
®
In Wisconsin® is a registered trademark
of Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
4232-5 Ready for You Ad_10x12 v1.indd 1 9/16/14 10:59 AM

NOVEMBER 2014
32 Sun Country, ready for takeoff
> FEATURES > DEPARTMENTS
32 Vets in the Workplace 8 Starters
One National Guardsman’s story > Caribou Coffee expanding where it started.
after returning from duty. > TV goes retro —or at least looks like it has.
By Adam Wahlberg > Anyone for a World’s Fair? Anyone?

36 Under the Radar 12 Concierge
After a bumpy history, can Sun By Melinda Nelson > Indulge your sweet tooth.
Country Airlines fly a path to
consistent profits? 14 Plugged In
By Adam Platt By Emily Van Ort > Opportunities in networking this month.
36
43 Minnesota Family Business 16 Lifestyle
Awards Dylan brings it all back home; Shakespeare gets silly.
We honor five who love their
business and their family, and 28 Spotlight: Seasonal Businesses
manage to balance both. > Izzy’s Ice Cream is no fair-weather friend.
By Suzy Frisch, Fran Howard and > For the Ice Dam Guys, profits come in a steady drip.
Gene Rebeck
> COMMENTARY
> TRENDING
7 Editor’s Note > Saluting the leaders of the hidden economy.
56 Commercial Real Estate /
Boomtowns 17 Personal Brand
The lean years over, new projects By Roshini Rajkumar > The delicate art of email.
are rising and more are planned.
By Burl Gilyard 22 Performing Philanthropy
43
By Sarah Lutman > It’s time we start listening to veterans.
64 Dining Guide / Business Event
Dining 26 Northern Exposure
Find the perfect place for a By Gene Rebeck > Regional airports mean the area isn’t remote.
celebration or special event.
By TCB staff 24 Explanation of Benefits
By David Burda > Time off for doctor visits? Telemedicine is
74 CFO Forum / Leadership Beyond starting to solve that problem.
Finance
Metro CFOs discuss how the job 111 Corner Office
has grown. By Mark W. Sheffert > Going beyond skill sets and experience.
By Liz Fedor
112 Open Letter
77 Special Advertising Section / By Vance Opperman > Where do Dayton and Johnson stand?
Super Real Estate Agents
56 Super Mortgage Professionals
With the housing market back on
track, here’s who to turn to.
TWIN CITIES BUSINESS, Vol. 22, No. 3. © 2014 MSP Communications. The opinions of columnists are their own. Unsolicited manuscripts or artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Telephone [phone]. Fax [phone].
E-mail: [email protected]. TWIN CITIES BUSINESS (ISSN 1072-673X) is published monthly by MSP Communications, 220 S. Sixth St., Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55402-4507. Subscriptions available for $24.95 per year; foreign subscriptions, $169.00 per year; back issues, $8.00.
To subscribe or change address, visit tcbmag.com/subscriptions.aspx. For back issue requests, contact [email protected] or 612-339-7571. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (see DMM707.4.12.5);
NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address corrections to TWIN CITIES BUSINESS, Subscription Processing, P.O. Box 5846, Harlan, IA 51593.
2 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS tcbmag.com NOVEMBER 2014
Steve Eckelman
NAME:
Bob’s Wood Specialties & Credit River Granite
BUSINESS:
Burnsville, MN
2009
KLEINBANK FAMILY MEMBER SINCE:
New building and equipment
RECENTLY FINANCED:
Making custom countertops & cabinets requires
WHY KLEINBANK?
attention to detail. We get that same top
shelf focus from our banker, Connie Boevers!
At KleinBank, Steve isn’t a number. He’s family.
Since 1907, four generations of Kleins have partnered with owners like
THE FAMILY BANK
Steve to grow their business. We’re still serving Steve because that's
Bu s i n e s s
what family does. Learn more at KleinBankFamily.com.
HGC_TCbizJrnl_4.562x10.75.pdf 1 9/25/14 11:18 AM
TWIN CITIES BUSINESS MAGAZINE STAFF
PPAARRAASSOOLLEE
HHHHHHHooooooollllllliiiiiiidddddddaaaaaaayyyyyyy GGGGGGGiiiiiiifffffffttttttt CCCCCCCaaaaaaarrrrrrrdddddddsssssss
Editor In Chief Dale Kurschner [email protected], 612-336-9299
Publisher Shelly Elmore [email protected], 612-336-9212
Executive Editor Adam Platt Online & E-Newsletter Writer
[email protected], 612-336-9275 Andre Eggert
[email protected], 612-373-9576
Trending Editor Liz Fedor
[email protected], 612-336-9293 Northern Minnesota Correspondent
Gene Rebeck
Senior Writer Burl Gilyard [email protected], 612-655-8658
[email protected], 612-313-1765
Copy Editor Judy Arginteanu
Online and E-Newsletter Editor [email protected]
Stephen Montemayor
[email protected] Editorial Intern Emily Van Ort
612-313-1793 [email protected],
612-336-9294

Design Director Chris Winn [email protected]
Senior Account Executive Marketing, Events Coordinator
Traci Auger Caitlin French
[email protected], 612-336-9214 [email protected], 612-336-9288

Senior Account Executive Sales, Marketing, and Events Intern
Kylie Engle Hailey Johnson
[email protected], 612-336-9215 [email protected],
612-373-9580
BBoooosstt yyoouurr hhoolliiddaayy aanndd eenntteerrttaaiinnmmeenntt Account Executive Theo Johnson
[email protected], 612-336-9211 Digital Sales and Marketing Intern
bbuuggeettss bbyy 2255%%.. FFrreeee.. Hilary Gibney
[email protected], 612-336-9253
Show your appreciation to clients and staff.
Or use Holiday Gift Cards year-round for business
Contributing Writers
dining. Available in any denomination, they're
David Burda, Suzy Frisch, Fran Howard, Sarah Lutman,
offered Nov. 1 through Dec. 24 and redeemable Melinda Nelson, Molly Priesmeyer, Roshini Rajkumar, Tad Simons, Mark W. Sheffert,
after Dec. 25, 2014. Purchase yours at parasole.com, Christie Washam, Megan Wiley
by calling 1-866-541-4438 (GIFT), or at any of
our restaurants.
Contact Us
To subscribe For permission to copy
tcbmag.com/subscribe [email protected]
[email protected] 612-336-9299
612-339-7571 To make event reservations
[email protected]
To change an address or renew 612-336-9288
tcbmag.com/myaccount
[email protected] To advertise
612-339-7571 see account executive listings
or contact [email protected]
For back issues or missing issues 612-336-9288
[email protected]
612-339-7571 To submit a press release
[email protected]
For reprints, PDFs
[email protected] To pitch a story
612-336-9288 see editorial staff listings or contact
NNOO FFEEEESS AANNDD NNOO EEXXPPIIRRAATTIIOONN
[email protected]
612-336-9299
4 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS tcbmag.com NOVEMBER 2014
Frauenshuh_TCB_Nov2014_4.25X10.75_final_GF_VillagerQuality_5.08X10 9/22/14 2:59 PM Page
MSP COMMUNICATIONS
Chairman Dwight D. Opperman VP, Manufacturing & Delivery Systems
Mary K. Authier
CEO & General Counsel
Vance K. Opperman VP, Creative Director
Jayne Haugen Olson
CFO Charles F. Thell
Find Your Summit
VP, Finance & Administration
COO Nathaniel Opperman John Bienias
President Gary Johnson VP, Project Management Frank Sisser in Saint Paul
VP, Publishing Deborah Hopp VP, Digital Director Kevin Dunn
Credit Manager Dave Gschlecht Senior Accountant Anne McPhillips
Office Manager Ellie Bjorklund Administrative Assistant Patty Mikres
Production Manager Digital Imaging Technician
Tim Dallum Robb Mitchell
Advertising Artists Paul Marihart, Digital Prepress Group
Allison Cook, David Roberts Steve Mathewson, Bill Sympson
Network Administrator Manager, Social Media & Audience
Steve Swanson Engagement
Carly Reynolds
Assistant Network Administrator
David Brandt Web Developer Ricky Hannigan
Senior Web Developer Director of Insights & Analytics
David Waters Andy Block
E-Marketing Specialist Bryan Roberts Social Media & Analytics Specialist
Isabelle Wattenberg
Corporate Circulation Director Fulfillment Coordinator Carrie Stafford
Bea Jaeger
Circulation Coordinator Carin Russell
Director, Circulation Marketing
Colleen Puent Circulation Assistant Kaitlyn Edison
This is where your office should be
The top two floors, 12 and 13, of Lawson Commons are available.
Creative Marketing Group Katie Shaw, Janice Hamilton, Adam Marks 63,000 square feet of beautiful office space
capped off with spectacular views of Saint Paul.
Lawson Commons creates an immediate impression of success.
The commitment to quality and attention to d etail
Get more from Twin Cities Business at reflects the dedication to excellence crafted
tcbmag.com into this outstanding space.
Highlights @
> Roundup of the most recent news on the homepage For details, contact
> Ranked lists and directories of Minnesota companies Sherry L. Hastings, Senior Vice President
> Previous issues and TCB’s digital editions Sherry.Hastings Frauenshuh.com
952-829-3468
FrauenshuhCommercial.com
Twin Cities Business is a publication of MSP Communications
220 S. 6th St., Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55402-4507
612-339-7571, fax [phone]
5
NOVEMBER 2014 tcbmag.com TWIN CITIES BUSINESS
index
Names of companies and people in this issue are indexed to the first page of the articles in which they’re mentioned.
PEOPLE Hammel, Lara ..........................................28 McKinney, Rose .......................................17 Caribou Coffee ...........................................8
Anderson, Julie ........................................43 Harteveldt, Henry .....................................32 Mercer, Miles ...........................................28 Ceridian ..................................................74
Anderson, Paul ........................................43 Hedberg, Patricia .....................................43 Mrozek, Jennier .......................................74 Code42 ....................................................74
Bailey, Gordie ..........................................43 Hedrick, Joe .............................................26 Murphy, Richard ......................................43 Crew2 .....................................................110
Bailey, Rodney .........................................43 Hellman, Jennifer .....................................17 Najarian, Daved .......................................28 Cushman & Wakefield/North Marq ..........56
Banmiller, David ......................................32 Hickok, Allan ..............................................8 O’Fallon, David ........................................22 Davisco Foods International .....................36
Battaglia, Joe ...........................................32 Hill, Darren ................................................8 Oliver, Bill ................................................32 Deneen Pottery .......................................110
Baxamusa, Mufaddal .................................8 Hubler, Tom .............................................43 Olk, Ben III ...............................................32 Discount Steel ........................................110
Benson, Grant............................................8 Hyde, Paul ...............................................56 Olsen, Jim ................................................36 Dunn Brothers Coffee .................................8
Brancatelli, Joe ........................................26 Jeffrey, Linda ............................................43 Palumbo, Joe ...........................................28 Goff Public ...............................................17
Bristow, Jason ..........................................74 Jellison, Dave ...........................................56 Pellegrene, Joe ...........................................8 Grazzini Brothers & Company .................110
Brown, Judith ..........................................110 Kalan, Kim ...............................................43 Petters, Tom.............................................36 Guthrie Theater ........................................28
Brown, Steve ...........................................56 Kalan, Mark .............................................43 Pollard, Mimie .........................................43 Hillcrest Development ..............................56
Brust, Susan ............................................43 Kelley, Doug ............................................32 Prigge, Michael ........................................43 Hospitality Consulting Group ...................56
Casey, Lynn .............................................17 Kucera, Brent ...........................................43 Ritchie, Mark .............................................8 Ice Dam Guys ...........................................28
Christensen, Joyce ...................................43 Kucera, Rachel .........................................43 Rydell, Robert ............................................8 Izzy’s Ice Cream .......................................28
Cooney, John ...........................................43 Kurzweg, Christine ...................................32 Salmen, Jay .............................................32 JNBA Financial Advisors ..........................110
Cooney, Pam ............................................43 Kurzweg, Paul ..........................................32 Scheuller, Alex .........................................22 Lund Food Holdings, Inc. ..........................56
Dalquist, David ........................................43 Larson, Andy............................................26 Sherf, Steve .............................................56 Magnet 360 .............................................74
Dalquist, Dorothy .....................................43 Lantinen, Christine ..................................43 Sommers, Jeff ..........................................28 Marco Inc. ................................................74
Dalquist, Jenny ........................................43 Lantinen, Randy .......................................43 Swaggert, Nick.........................................32 Mathiowetz Construction Co. ...................43
Danes, Sharon .........................................43 Leonard, Joe ............................................32 Swartz, Steve...........................................43 Maud Borup Inc. ......................................43
Davis, Marty ............................................36 Leonard, Richard......................................22 Tankenoff, Scott .......................................56 N20 Cos. ..................................................43
Deneen, Mary .........................................110 Levy, Dawn ..............................................17 Tattersfield, Mike .......................................8 Nelson’s .................................................28
Deneen, Peter .........................................110 Levy, Randy ...............................................8 Thomas, Patrick .........................................8 Nordic Ware .............................................43
Dormanen, Diane ....................................110 Lynch, Corrine ..........................................43 Timm, Terry ..............................................17 Northern Stacks .......................................56
Dormanen, John ......................................110 Marcantalli, August .................................110 Weidner, Frank ...........................................8 PadillaCRT ...............................................17
Fallon ........................................................8 Marcantalli, Bill Sr. ..................................110 Welliver, Judd ...........................................56 Pineapple Reputation Management .........17
Firkus, Denise .........................................110 Martin, Lois .............................................74 Wig, Jeff ...................................................26 Range Regional Airport ............................26
Firkus, Doug ...........................................110 Matascastillo, Trista .................................22 Yockers, Jake............................................32 Room & Board .........................................56
Firkus, Perry............................................110 Mathiowetz, Brett ....................................43 Sun Country Airlines ................................36
Firkus, Steve ...........................................110 Mathiowetz, Brian ...................................43 COMPANIES Target ........................................................8
Fredericksen, John ...................................32 Mathiowetz, Chad ....................................43 Abbott Northwestern ...............................48 Thief River Falls Regional Airport ..............26
Germolus, Shaun .....................................26 Mathiowetz, Martin .................................43 Bailey Nurseries.......................................43 United Properties .....................................56
Grazzini, August .....................................110 Mathiowetz, Ronda ..................................43 Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport ...............26 University of St. Thomas ............................8
Grazzini, Frank ........................................110 Matzdorff, Gabby .....................................74 Bull Run Coffee ..........................................8 Wings Financial Credit Union ......................8
Hamilton, Grady.......................................56 McEnaney, Terri .......................................43 Cambria Holdings ....................................36 Wurth Adams ...........................................56
GIVING
Y U
MORE ACT NOW AND SAVE
ENERGY There’s still time to secure energy savings with
CenterPoint Energy’s rebate program. But hurry –
SAVINGS the deadline to submit applications is Dec. 31, 2014.
Rebate savings include:
NOW
• Boiler systems and boiler system components
• Forced-air furnaces
• Boiler tune-ups
• Linkageless controls
• Steam trap repair/replacement
• Foodservice equipment
For complete program details and fill-
• Unit and condensing unit heaters
and-print rebate applications, visit • Condensing water heaters
CenterPointEnergy.com/ • Energy recovery wheels and plates
BusinessRebates • Infrared heaters
©2014 CenterPoint Energy 140139
6 TWIN CITIES BUSINESS tcbmag.com NOVEMBER 2014
editor’s note
BY Dale Kurschner [email protected]
The Hidden Economy
They don’t get much press, but family businesses generate half our GDP and the majority of our jobs.
Look through today’s newspaper,
news blogs and tweets, and you’ll
see plenty about publicly traded
companies, public figures and economic
reports. You’ll also find these types of
stories—with added perspective—on our
website, TCBmag.com, and in our twice-
weekly e-newsletter, Briefcase.
We provide such coverage knowing it’s
of interest to a large percentage of readers,
based on those that click on a headline and
then spend so many minutes on a given
story. We also know that they only scratch
the surface of what really goes on in the
business world every day. That’s one rea-
Bailey Family
son we’re so pleased to produce the range
of stories you find in every issue of this
magazine. Among them is this month’s husband, John, would eventually sell off What roles do various family members chairman of fourth-generation Bailey
Minnesota Family Business Awards cover- the family business that John’s grandfather play in the business? What values do these Nurseries
age, beginning on page 43. had started in 1932. But John died sudden- companies seek to impart to the family
In general, family businesses don’t get ly, and Kari found herself the sole owner of members, and how are those values “Something my grandfather used
a lot of media coverage because they’re the company, with a decision to make: Sell expressed within their communities? to always pride himself on in the early
so private. Yet they comprise more of our it or keep it. This video of her acceptance Here are a few outtakes from the days of the business was if you had an
economy than do the publicly traded speech provides not only an excellent conversations we had with this year’s employee and they were a good person
businesses the media tends to over-cover. window into why and how she kept it, but honorees. but maybe not working out in that
An estimated 90 percent of U.S. busi- why this fourth-generation family business “There are lots of other things I particular role that they were in, he
nesses are family-owned, including the is still going strong today (you can watch it could’ve had a really good time doing would work really hard to see what else
largest of them all: Walmart. They repre- by going online to bit.ly/110oIFo). with my life, like being a surety sales- they could do here at the company. We
sent 49 percent of U.S. Gross Domestic Kari’s story also is indicative of what man or something, where they golf continue to do that today, and you’ll
Product, employ more than 60 percent of we find with many family businesses in four days a week with their clients find a lot of employees who’ve been
the workforce and account for 78 percent Minnesota—they make it beyond the . . . and they get paid pretty well, too. here for 30, 40, some even 50 years.”
of all new jobs created. second generation. We have several now But for whatever reason, I’m good –Jennifer Dalquist, family member and
About three and a half years ago, I in their fourth—a bit of an anomaly given at leading this company and I didn’t director of sales and marketing at third-
met Tom Hubler to discuss how we might that nationally only 30 percent of family know that until I was doing it. I now generation Nordic Ware (Northland
partner on this subject. Tom runs Hubler businesses successfully transition to the have basically a sacred responsibility Aluminum Products)
for Family Business and had been leading next generation; only 12 percent make it to keep this going because there are
a family business awards process for four to the third generation and 3 percent to 180 families depending on us making “The biggest surprise is how well
years; it was the type of content that I the fourth generation. the right decisions, and if we don’t, we are doing today, and that my chil-
wanted to add to TCB’s offerings, given Every year, Tom and a panel of other they all have to either travel to new dren are able to carry on and they are
the stats mentioned above. judges carefully review nominations pro- work or relocate or their lifestyle goes. very interested in seeing the business
We’re now presenting our fourth set vided by our readers. We narrow the list So it’s 180 folks that keep me going.” grow. You can’t imagine [in the begin-
of awards working with Tom, and each down and then scrutinize – and some- —Brian Mathiowetz, co-owner and ning] that it would turn out like this:
time we’ve been able to produce stories times debate – the qualifications of each CEO of fourth-generation Mathiowetz It’s a wonderful happening. Our family
and videos that give our audience a more to identify five honorees and five finalists. Construction Co. works well together, we all realize that
personal view of what it takes to lead a Our coverage of this year’s honorees dem- we have different talents that we can
business across all constituencies for sev- onstrates once again how family values, “We’ve had a lot of inquiries over put into the business, and that we are
eral years, if not decades. The acceptance dynamics, idiosyncrasies and traditions the years [to sell the company] and all needed.” –Dorothy Dalquist, who
speeches at these events are refreshingly can help a business succeed, and how the we don’t even seriously consider it. It co-founded Nordic Ware in 1946
heartfelt, combining business smarts with emotional side of family relationships can doesn’t lend itself to success when it
moral fortitude, while keeping family and help counter the sometimes cold, hard becomes corporate-owned, as it’s a I hope you enjoy the profiles of this
friends front and center. realities faced when making critically hands-on business. And I think we owe year’s honorees and can join us for the
One of the best speeches was by important business decisions. it to our employees, our customers and awards event the evening of Nov. 12,
Kari Rihm, CEO of Rihm Kenworth, at We also examine how these busi- our suppliers, as well as to ourselves, where you can hear firsthand from these
last year’s Family Business Awards. Five nesses have prepared for, or are preparing to provide the continuity that we’ve otherwise relatively hidden leaders of our
years ago, it looked as though she and her for the next generation for leadership. been able to provide.” –Gordie Bailey, economy. TCB
NOVEMBER 2014 tcbmag.com TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 7
news > trends > personalities
edited by Adam Platt
’BOU WHO?

After national downsizing,
Caribou growing again in Minnesota.
>
Minnesotans are pro- Today Caribou has 567 lo-
vincial: They prefer doing cations, including international
business with people they know, franchises. In its stronghold of
like Brooklyn Center-based Minnesota, Caribou has 242
Caribou Coffee. But in April 2013, locations, a majority being
plans were announced to close stand-alone stores or skyway/
80 (mostly nonlocal) Caribous mall operations. The company
and rebrand another 88 under operates approximately 25
the banner of Peet’s Coffee & Tea; stand-alone stores in adjacent
both are owned by the Germany- states and Colorado, making it
MORE THAN A BLACK SQUARE
based JAB Group, which acquired a small bit player to Starbucks.
Caribou for $340 million. (Starbucks has more than
A next-gen Pellegrene partners with Target
“On August 31, we closed 11,000 U.S. locations, but ranks
our last store that was part of second to Caribou in Minne- to create an old-school TV.
the conversion strategy with sota locations, with 130 outlets >
Peet’s Coffee & Tea—a business in the state.) Joe Pellegrene has a solid local based
decision that has best positioned “Caribou was founded and retailing pedigree. His father, John, electronics
us for growth,” says Mike Tat- started in Minneapolis. . . . They was a Target marketing legend. The brand that
tersfield, Caribou’s president did a very, very good job of youngest of five boys, Pellegrene says the already
and CEO. (Tattersfield has also developing and penetrating and whole clan has retail in the blood. For him, has a line
been tapped as chairman of satisfying customers before Star- that translated into his firm, Pellegrene & of retro-
Einstein Bros. Bagels, another bucks even entered the market,” Associates, which designs, markets and esque audio
JAB acquisition.) says restaurant analyst Allan sells mostly small electronics with retail systems
242
Caribou has opened 16 new Hickok, a senior advisor for partners such as Target and Best Buy. sold at
Minnesota stores since the consolidation the Boston Consulting Group. Their work has appeared under brand Target. It was a natural fit—though the last
locations announcement 18 months ago. (Another local player, Minne- names such as Polaroid, Sunbeam, Rust- time Crosley made TVs was in 1959, says
The new coffee shops include 13 apolis-based Dunn Brothers Oleum and Oster. The firm, founded in the company.
in Minnesota, two in Iowa and Coffee, has 68 of its 84 locations 2002 and currently based in Deephaven, “We wanted to make sure the TV
one in Colorado. in Minnesota.) also runs its own house brands such as fit with their current range of audio
More competition is com- Cre8, Ohm and IO. products,” Pellegrene notes. “We took an
ing: Dunkin’ Donuts, a staple With such a strong connection to the example of one of their own products.
in the northeast United States, Fortune 500 retailer, Pellegrene is always . . . The hipsters will be all over this.”
has big plans for Minnesota. pitching unique products to Target. After Pellegrene thinks a Mad Men-style
Grant Benson, vice president of developing TVs for Polaroid, Pellegrene TV will succeed where other retro nods
global franchise development wanted to add some style to what he saw have failed. The key is integrating new
for the Canton, Mass.-based as a drab, black-box market, with every technology: the TV doubles as a monitor,
Dunkin’ Brands Group, says the brand’s TV indistinguishable from the next. is equipped with 1080p hi-def and has
company envisions opening 50 “High-end consumer electronics front-firing speakers with amped-up
locations in the Twin Cities over manufacturers have begun using retro wattage. Though he declined to name the
the next six to seven years. design to blur the lines between tech, specific technology, he hinted at another
“We are now actively en- furniture and décor,” Pellegrene explains. feature where “you can potentially beam
gaged in franchisee selection for “We saw an opportunity to align with music from other devices to the TV,” he
the Twin Cities,” says Benson. Target’s brand equity [affordable design] says. The set is available at Target, but
“The Minneapolis market is and bring differentiation to the Target TV Pellegrene says deals with other retailers
frankly one of the more com- assortment.” (some local) are in the works.
petitive coffee markets in the Last fall, he approached the Target “We have our loyalty to Target,”
country.” merchants with an idea. They in turn, Pellegrene says. “We have a special spot
—Burl Gilyard introduced him to Crosley, the Kentucky- for it, obviously.” —Christie Washam