Jon Luther '67 to deliver commencement address - 2009-05-07

CONTACT: Kenneth Aaron, director of communications, (518) 327-6297

PAUL SMITHS ­ Jon Luther '67, executive chairman of Dunkin' Brands Inc., will deliver the commencement address at Paul Smith's College on Sunday, May 17.

Dunkin' Brands is the parent of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.

The college's 62nd commencement exercises will honor the 218 members of the class of 2009. Commencement will be held on the shores of Lower St. Regis Lake beginning at 11 a.m.

Luther graduated from Paul Smith's College in 1967 with an associate degree in hotel and restaurant management. He will also receive an honorary doctor of commercial letters degree at the commencement ceremony.

Luther's professional career has taken him from his start at a burger shop in Buffalo through several leadership positions in the food service industry. He arrived at Dunkin' Brands in 2003, and since then has led the global expansion of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.

Dunkin’ Brands sales have increased more than 66 percent since Luther joined
The company; Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins together have more than 14,800 locations in 44 countries, with 2008 sales of $6.9 billion.

Before arriving at Dunkin' Brands, Luther was president of Popeyes Chicken
& Biscuits. Over his six years there, the company's store count grew 67% and average per-store sales crossed the $1 million mark ­ highest in the chicken QSR category. Luther has also been president of CA One Services, a major airport food service provider, and of Davre's, the luxury restaurant subsidiary of Aramark.

ABOUT PAUL SMITH'S COLLEGE
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. We are the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs, in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences, draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere.