- Originally published on March 7, 2023 in The Bricklyn Eagle Inland Edition
- Republished on February 2, 2024 in The Bricklyn Eagle Online / Outland Edition
Editor’s Note: In light of the recent application by Dunk Them Donuts to build a donut-topped skyscraper in downtown Bricklyn Junction, and the opening of a deluxe donut shop in downtown Bricklyn, we thought readers might appreciate reading an interview published in our Inland Edition on March 7, 2023. Reporter Gloria Vanderbrick spoke with Dunk Them Donuts CEO Dave Tiler Broffman about the future of Dunk Them Donuts, and his role as CEO.
Gloria Vanderbrick: We’re so glad you agreed to speak with us Dave. Most of our readers love your donuts, and also know that Dunk Them Donuts is the biggest employer in the Realm of Bricklyn. But what we all don’t know as much about is what your company’s current and future plans are.
Dave Tiler Broffman: Thank you, Gloria, it’s a pleasure to talk with you this afternoon.
Let me start by saying, to those who don’t know, that Dunk Them Donuts is a privately held, family-owned business. My grandfather, Solomon Tiler Broffman, started baking and selling donuts from a small shop on Peach Street in Bricklyn Junction, back in 1939.
As Sol’s donuts proved popular, he expanded by opening up a second shop on South Street in downtown Bricklyn.
It was a true family business. My grandmother Sarah kept the books, and then my father, Harry, and his brother Larry, gradually took on greater responsibilities in the business.
When I was in my mid-30s, and working for Millbrick Builders in South Bricklyn -– where I had gone after graduating from the University of Bricklyn with a degree in business management — my Dad and Uncle asked if I’d like to become CEO of Dunk Them Donuts. I thought it over and then agreed. It was the best decision I’ve ever made, other than marrying Suzanne!
Vanderbrick: I believe you came onboard as CEO back in 1998. What were your priorities when you joined your family’s business?
Broffman: That’s right, Gloria, it was in 1998. You’ve done your homework. Well, when I started I’ll have to admit that Dunk Them Donuts was a bit out-of-step with the times. Its six donut shops then in operation were generating a steady, but not remarkable amount of business and income. At that time, we had no franchise operations, and operated only within the Realm of Bricklyn.
One of the first things I did after joining Dunk Them Donuts was become active on the League of Inland Cities’ economic development committee. After a few years, I became chair of that committee.
What a great organization the League is. As you, and probably most of your readers know -– at least those who took a course on LEGO Inland history in high school! -– the League of Inland Cities focuses on strengthening ties between its 27 member Realms. It is also in many ways modeled on the medieval Hanseatic League which promoted trade and commerce in the Outland regions of Germany and northern Europe back in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Well, to make a long story short, with growing contacts in the League of Inland Cities, Dunk Them Donuts started to develop a franchise strategy, and over time opened donut shops under our name in most of the Realms that are members of the League.
Most Dunk Them Donut shops are independently owned and operated, but we help our franchisees with marketing and financial planning. Most importantly, we’ve patented a method of shipping donuts out from our Bricklyn Junction factory so that all Dunk Them Donut stores receive donuts that, once unpacked from their shipping cases, are fresh and ready to sell.
All shop owners need to do once each week is update us on the number, variety and size of donuts they want us to ship.
Vanderbrick: How interesting! But why is it so important that you ship out the donuts, instead of just the ingredients to make them?
Broffman: Two reasons. First, it makes it much easier to have franchised donut shops, as our franchisees do not need to invest in costly, specialized donut making equipment.
We just provide them with a device that allows the donuts they receive to be properly de-thawed. Believe me, that one piece of equipment is a lot cheaper than their needing to buy and install large donut fryers and donut filling extruders.
Since our franchisees don’t need space in their kitchens for all this equipment, they have more room in their store to set up counters, or even tables, for visitors who like to sit down with a cup of coffee and dunk their donut.
A second, and even more important, reason we ship out the finished donut ready to sell is that this gives us much better quality control. We want our donuts to have the same great taste whether a customer is visiting a Dunk Them Donut shop in Brickover, New Hampshire; Brickport, Maine; or anywhere in the world there’s one of our shops. When they’re all made in Bricklyn Junction we can guarantee their consistently high quality.
Vanderbrick: Let me ask you about your future plans for Dunk Them Donuts. Do you anticipate any major changes?
Broffman: There’s still plenty of room for us to grow by expanding into more Inland Realms. Right now, we operate in 20, and there are dozens more, especially if we open shops in Realms that have not yet joined the League of Inland Cities.
Another priority of ours is to find and retain good, highly dedicated employees at our headquarters and manufacturing and distribution facilities here in Bricklyn Junction.
But, as you know, housing costs have gone through the roof the past ten years. We need ways to make housing more affordable to our employees, and to those who would like to work for us, but have a hard time affording to live in the Realm of Bricklyn.
Sadly, we’re already finding that young people are leaving for less costly Realms, even though that means moving far from their families. Bricklyn’s Federal Council really needs to do more – and I’ll acknowledge that we at Dunk Them Donuts also need to do more to address this problem.
Vanderbrick: I know you told us before the interview that you didn’t want to take any questions about your wife or kids, and of course we’ll honor that. However, I would like to ask you about your recent major donation to the Bricklyn Gardeners Association that allowed it to move forward with plans to build an arboretum in downtown Bricklyn — construction that’s nearly complete as the arboretum is expected to open in June 2023, just a few months from now. How did that donation come about?
Broffman: Gloria, I’m both a plant-lover – you should see our back yard – and a long-time member of the Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce. I think our quality of life is of great importance to the future of the Realm.
After talking with folks from the Bricklyn Gardeners Association, and doing some of my own research, I came to realize the very positive impact that arboretums can have for communities.
As a result we -– that is, Dunk Them Donuts -– took the opportunity to donate a parcel of land we owned next to the train station to the Bricklyn Gardeners Association for siting the arboretum, and also provided them with some financial support. We just did our part.
I have to add that I was flattered when I heard they wanted to name the arboretum after me. I look forward to regularly having a cup of coffee and a donut there, while enjoying what I’m sure will be a wonderful place to relax.
Vanderbrick: Some of our readers, I’m sure, would like to hear more about your collection of classic automobiles. You’re often spotted driving around the Realm in one of them.
Broffman: Yes, I’ve long been a classic car lover. Let me also add that I also love bikes and trains, especially the new Brickstar high speed train – and we’ve been doing a great job in Bricklyn with promoting what planners are calling “alternative modes of transportation.” But they all really have their place, and I have to admit I do love old, classic cars, like the Ferrari 250 GTO, a favorite of mine.
Vanderbrick: Any other thoughts you’d care to share with Bricklyn Eagle readers.
Broffman: One thing I’ll make mention of — Dunk Them Donuts has some big plans for 2024. While I’m not at liberty to disclose them yet, I think I can say they’ll be a big boost for what’s been a struggling downtown in Bricklyn Junction. So, stay tuned!
Vanderbrick: We’ll indeed stay tuned. Thank you so much for your time with us today, Dave.
Broffman: The pleasure was all mine, Gloria.
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