William Rosenberg, 86, Founder of Dunkin' Donuts Dies

William Rosenberg, 86, founder of Dunkin' Donuts died Sept. 20 after a long illness. He was a resident of Boca Ratton, Fla.

After World War II, Rosenberg borrowed $1000 which he added to his $1500 in war bonds and began an industrial catering business conducted from trucks he designed. Within a short period of time he had 140 trucks, plus 25 in-plant cafeterias and a vending division. Upon realizing that 40% of his business was coffee and donuts, he established a shop specializing in those products - and Dunkin' Donuts was born. After opening his 6th shop, he decided on franchising as a method of expansion, and the rest is history. Dunkin' Donuts is now a company with more than 6000 shops worldwide.