Dunn Brothers Coffee, the Minneapolis-based chain that roasts globally sourced beans in small batches inside each shop, is entering Illinois and adding to its Iowa presence through a development agreement with new multi-unit franchise partners Beans & Rice, LLC, announced on 7 October 2026.
The agreement, led by Kevin and Michelle Ramirez, includes locations in Davenport and Clinton, Iowa, and East Moline, Illinois. The first shop is projected to open in 2027.
The Ramirezes currently operate multiple Jersey Mike’s Subs locations and previously spent 20 years as Arby’s franchisees. Michelle Ramirez described Dunn Brothers as:
“the right brand for our next chapter”
Both partners point to roasting on site as the draw. Kevin Ramirez said the couple likes seeing everything “freshly done in-shop”, and Michelle Ramirez said the format offers guests an experience they cannot find elsewhere. Dunn Brothers President Ben Anderson welcomed the new partners to the brand.
This is a regional US development deal and the release gives no international plans. The structure is the useful part: a small, three-site agreement signed with an operator that already runs another brand and has two decades behind it. Specialty coffee is also one of the most contested categories in Asia Pacific and MENA, where roaster-led concepts compete with large chains. See how scale players are positioning in Luckin Coffee’s 100th Singapore store and DFI Retail Group’s move to full control of Starbucks across seven Asian markets. For the category overview, read our guide to Asian F&B franchises in coffee, tea and juice, and for deal structures, master franchise versus area development versus joint venture.
