The Cafua Family: Dunkin’ Franchise Pioneers from Massachusetts

The Cafua family is one of the most influential franchise families in the American quick-service restaurant industry and among the largest operators of Dunkin’ restaurants in the United States. Through their company Cafua Management Company, the family has built a large business empire that includes more than 200 Dunkin’ locations across several states, with many stores located in Massachusetts and New England.
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Immigrant Roots
The Cafua story begins with Fernando Cafua and Gilda Cafua, immigrants from São Miguel Island. The couple moved to Boston in the early 1970s seeking better economic opportunities in the United States.
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Like many Portuguese immigrants in New England, they worked multiple jobs to establish themselves. Fernando worked as a baker, which later helped the family understand the food business.
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First Dunkin’ Store
In 1980, the Cafua family made a major step toward entrepreneurship by investing in their first Dunkin’ shop in Derry, New Hampshire.
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At the time, their children were still young. According to accounts of the family business, the sons often worked in the shop from an early age, learning the trade and helping with daily operations. Over time, the business began to grow as they opened more locations.
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Expansion into a Franchise Empire
The Cafua family’s business expanded steadily through the 1980s and 1990s. Their company eventually became one of the largest Dunkin’ franchise operators in the United States.
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Key milestones in the company’s growth include:
2002: Opening of the 100th Dunkin’ store.
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Expansion throughout New England, New York, and other states.
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Growth to over 200 Dunkin’ restaurants across multiple states.
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The company is headquartered in Methuen, Massachusetts and employs thousands of workers through its restaurants and operations.
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Second Generation Leadership
Leadership of the family company eventually passed to the second generation:
Mark Cafua – Chief Executive Officer
David Cafua – Chief Property Officer
Gregory Cafua – Chief Business Officer
These brothers helped expand the company further and professionalize its management structure while continuing the family tradition in the Dunkin’ system.
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Third Generation
The Cafua family business is now entering its third generation. Younger family members—including Felicia, Joshua, and Jonathan Cafua—began working in stores as crew members before moving into leadership roles within the organization.
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This multigenerational structure has helped maintain the family-owned nature of the business while continuing expansion.
Community and Philanthropy
The Cafua family also operates a charitable initiative, the Cafua Family Charitable Foundation, which supports community programs and organizations in New England.
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Examples of their community involvement include:
Holiday shopping programs for children
Donations to youth organizations such as local YMCA programs
Fundraising initiatives through their Dunkin’ locations.
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