Robert M. Rosenberg
{{Short description|American businessman, professor, and author}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Robert M. Rosenberg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|March 22, 1938}}
| birth_place = Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
| education = {{ubl|Cornell University (BA)|Harvard University (MBA)}}
| occupation = {{hlist|class=nowrap|Businessman|professor|author}}
| employer = {{ubl|Dunkin' Donuts|Allied Domecq|Babson College}}
| boards = {{ubl|Domino's Pizza (1999–2010)|Sonic Corp. (1993–2016)}}
| father = William Rosenberg
}}
Robert M. Rosenberg (born March 22, 1938) is an American businessman, professor, and author. He was the chief executive officer of Dunkin' Donuts for thirty-five years from 1963 to 1998 and also served on the board of directors of Sonic Corp and Domino's Pizza. He was also an adjunct professor at Babson College's F. W. Olin Graduate School of Business.
Early life and education
Rosenberg was born in 1938 in Boston, Massachusetts, to Bertha (née Greenberg) and William Rosenberg,{{Cite web|date=1940|title=Robert M Rosenberg|url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW99-XRP|access-date=July 8, 2020|publisher=United States Census|via=FamilySearch}}{{Cite news|date=July 2008|title=Bertha (Greenberg) Rosenberg|work=The Boston Globe|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=bertha-rosenberg-greenberg&pid=113311019|access-date=July 8, 2020|via=Legacy.com}} who founded a group of restaurant businesses, Universal Food Systems, which included Dunkin' Donuts.{{Cite news|last=Connolly|first=Allison|date=March 20, 2000|title=Doughnut chain founder still an 'icon'|work=Boston Business Journal|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2000/03/20/story5.html|access-date=July 8, 2020}} Robert Rosenberg graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1959 from Cornell University's Hotel and Restaurant School,{{Cite web|date=February 1984|title=In the News: Robert M Rosenberg '59|url=https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/27998/1/086_06.pdf|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Cornell Alumni News|page=69}}{{Cite news|date=September 19, 1983|title=Business People; New Chairman Outlines Dunkin' Donuts Goals|language=en-US|page=D2|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/19/business/business-people-new-chairman-outlines-dunkin-donuts-goals.html|access-date=July 8, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} where he was a member of the Kappa chapter of Zeta Beta Tau.{{Cite news|date=Winter 2007|title=Kappa ZBT'S 100TH Birthday Party A Huge Success|work=The Edgecliff News|publisher=Kappa chapter of Zeta Beta Tau|url=http://zbtcornell.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EdgecliffNews-2007-Wi.pdf|access-date=July 8, 2020}} He later graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1963.{{Cite news|date=Winter 2007|title=Alumni Write: Robert M. Rosenberg '59|work=The Edgecliff News|publisher=Kappa chapter of Zeta Beta Tau|url=http://zbtcornell.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EdgecliffNews-2007-Wi.pdf#page=6|access-date=July 8, 2020}} During summer breaks, Rosenberg worked at his family's businesses.{{Cite news|last=Reidy|first=Chris|date=June 18, 1998|title=It's time to pick a new CEO|pages=D1–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54942848/d7/ D7]|work=The Boston Globe|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54942837/d7/|access-date=July 8, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}}
Kappa (Cornell University) named Rosenberg Zeta Beta Tau Man of Distinction for 2022.
Career
In 1963, at the age of 25,{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2010 |title=Franchising opportunities beyond donuts |url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/business-life/2010/06/14/583706/franchising-opportunities-beyond-donuts|access-date=July 8, 2020 |website=The Philippine Star}} Rosenberg assumed leadership of his family business, Universal Food Systems, as CEO and president.{{Cite web |last=Vittolino|first=Sal|date=January 28, 1985|title=Franchise Group Grew to Dollars from Donuts|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1985-01-28-8501030681-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624044109/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1985-01-28-8501030681-story.html|archive-date=June 24, 2020|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Sun-Sentinel|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Kate|date=April 18, 2019|title=Dunkin' CMO explains the chain's controversial decision to slash 'Donuts' from its name |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-dunkin-changed-its-name-cmo-tony-weisman-2019-4 |access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Business Insider}} At the time, the company consisted of several small businesses grossing $20 million per year,{{Cite news|date=August 8, 1963|title=Robt. Rosenberg New Head of Universal Food|work=Waltham News-Tribune}} including 100 Dunkin' Donuts locations in the U.S., generating $10 million in annual sales. Rosenberg transformed Universal Food Systems to focus on Dunkin' Donuts.{{Cite web |title=Robert M. Rosenberg H'97, MP'94 |url=https://www.babson.edu/academics/centers-and-institutes/the-arthur-m-blank-center-for-entrepreneurship/awards/academy-of-distinguished-entrepreneurs/inductees/rosenberg-robert/ |access-date=July 8, 2020 |website=Babson College|language=en}}
On February 6, 1968, Rosenberg took the company through its initial public offering.{{Cite news|last=Tubb|first=John|date=February 11, 1968|title=Over the Counter: Pre-Valentine Day 'Massacre'|pages=A27|work=Austin American-Statesman|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54943152/a27/|access-date=July 8, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} In September 1983, Rosenberg became chairman while continuing to serve as CEO of Dunkin' Donuts. The company remained publicly traded until 1989, earning investors a 35% compound rate of return. During his tenure as Dunkin' Donuts CEO, Rosenberg served on the board of the International Franchise Association.{{Cite book|last=United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MKhcETa4ICMC&pg=PA177|title=Franchise Legislation: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Antitrust and Monopoly of the Committee on the Judiciary|date=October 16, 1967|publisher=United States Congress|pages=177|language=en}} In 1970, he served as the association's chairman.{{Cite book|title=Looking Back: Looking Ahead, An IFA 25th Anniversary Retrospective|publisher=International Franchise Association|year=1985|pages=13}}
In late 1989, Dunkin' Donuts announced its acquisition by Allied-Lyons PLC, a large UK food and beverage group which also owned Baskin-Robbins.{{Cite web|date=November 17, 1989|title=Allied-Lyons Agrees To Buy Dunkin' Donuts|url=https://apnews.com/bec4f731dbe102ebd225af8bdf12d9f9|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=AP News}}{{Cite web|date=November 17, 1989|title=British Firm to Acquire Dunkin' Donuts|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-17-fi-1887-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624050631/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-17-fi-1887-story.html|archive-date=June 24, 2020|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}} Rosenberg continued to lead the company that became known as Allied Domecq Retailing (later Dunkin' Brands) which also acquired Togo's sandwich shops. By the time Rosenberg retired in 1998, the company had about 6,500 locations around the world.
Following his retirement, Rosenberg went on to become an adjunct professor at Babson College's F. W. Olin Graduate School of Business. He also served as a trustee of the college.{{Cite web|title=Governance: Members of the Board of Trustees, October 2010 to October 2011|url=https://www.babson.edu/about/babson-magazine/fall-2011/governance/|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Babson College|language=en}} In addition to teaching at Babson, Rosenberg was on the board of directors at Sonic Corp., from April 1993 to 2016, and Domino's Pizza, from 1999 until April 2010, where he served both companies as chairman of their compensation committees.{{Cite web|date=December 15, 2014|title=Schedule 14A: Sonic Corp.|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/868611/000119312514442193/d824897ddef14a.htm|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=EDGAR|publisher=Securities and Exchange Commission|pages=11–12}}{{Cite web|date=April 28, 2009|title=Schedule 14A: Domino's Pizza|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1286681/000119312509061125/ddef14a.htm|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=EDGAR|publisher=Securities and Exchange Commission|page=4}}
In 2020, Rosenberg released a book, Around the Corner to Around the World (HarperCollins Leadership), which memorializes his 35 years as the CEO of Dunkin' Donuts. The book also offers advice on business management and franchising.{{Cite web|last=Young|first=Robin|date=October 19, 2020|title=In New Book, Former Dunkin' CEO Robert Rosenberg Shares 'A Dozen Lessons' In Business|url=https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/10/19/dunkin-ceo-business-lessons|access-date=November 10, 2020|website=WBUR|language=en-US}}
Awards and honors
In 1968, Rosenberg was awarded the Golden Plate by the American Academy of Achievement and was named among the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce's list of Ten Outstanding Young Leaders.{{Cite web|date=2016|title=Complete List of Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Honorees|url=https://www.bostonchamber.com/media/events/TOYL/TOYL-Previous-Winners.pdf#page=3|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce}}{{Cite book |title=1968 Banquet of the Golden Plate |publisher=Academy of Achievement |year=1968 |pages=15 |language=en-US |type=Catalog}} He was a member of the President's Task Force on Equal Opportunity.
Rosenberg received an honorary degree in business administration from Johnson & Wales University in 1990.{{Cite news|last=Mingis|first=Ken|date=May 27, 1990|title=Scott shows sunny side at Johnson & Wales, part 2: 825 graduate in ceremonies at Civic Center|work=Providence Journal|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/1525BB4E0E28EC78|url-access=limited|access-date=July 8, 2020}} In 1992, he was honored by the International Food Manufacturers Association with their Golden Plate Award.{{Cite web|date=2018|title=Past Gold & Silver Plate Winners|url=https://www.ifmaworld.com/ifma-media/2302/past-gold-silver-plate-award-winners.pdf#page=3|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=International Foodservice Manufacturers Association}} Rosenberg was also inducted into Massachusetts Hospitality Hall of Fame.{{Cite news|date=November 2, 2000|title=People News|work=AcaMedia|publisher=Smith College|url=https://www.smith.edu/acamedia/Archive99-2000/aca032300.html#anchor348147|access-date=July 8, 2020}} From Babson College, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1997.{{Cite web|title=Honorary Degree Recipients|url=https://www.babson.edu/about/news-events/babson-events/commencement/commencement-speakers/honorary-degree-recipients/|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Babson College|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Robert M. Rosenberg H'97, MP'94|url=https://www.babson.edu/academics/centers-and-institutes/the-arthur-m-blank-center-for-entrepreneurship/awards/academy-of-distinguished-entrepreneurs/inductees/rosenberg-robert/|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Babson College|language=en}} In 2001, he was inducted into the Babson College's Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs.{{Cite web|title=Inductees|url=https://www.babson.edu/academics/centers-and-institutes/the-arthur-m-blank-center-for-entrepreneurship/awards/academy-of-distinguished-entrepreneurs/inductees/|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Babson College|language=en}} In 2007, he was inducted into the inaugural class of Edgecliff Hall of Fame of the Kappa chapter of Zeta Beta Tau. The International Franchise Association honored Rosenberg in 1998 when they inducted him into their Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|title=Past IFA Major Award Winners|url=https://www.franchise.org/past-ifa-major-award-winners|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=International Franchise Association|language=en}} Rosenberg was named the Zeta Beta Tau Man of Distinction for 2022.
Bibliography
- {{Cite book|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Robert|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wCMUAQAAMAAJ|title=Profits from Franchising|last2=Bedell|first2=Madelon|date=1969|publisher=McGraw-Hill|isbn=|location=|pages=|language=en|oclc=318246589}}
- {{Cite book|last1=Spinelli|first1=Stephen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqiwiTz_iF4C|title=Franchising: Pathway to Wealth Creation|last2=Rosenberg|first2=Robert|last3=Birley|first3=Sue|date=2004|publisher=FT Press|isbn=978-0-13-009717-0|language=en}}
- {{Cite book|last=Rosenberg|first=Robert|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2L3WDwAAQBAJ|title=Around the Corner to Around the World: A Dozen Lessons I Learned Running Dunkin Donuts|date=October 13, 2020|publisher=HarperCollins Leadership|isbn=978-1-4002-2049-6|language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:Businesspeople from Boston
Category:American people of German-Jewish descent
Category:Babson College faculty
Category:Cornell University School of Hotel Administration alumni
Category:Harvard Business School alumni