Local LaMar's Donuts franchisee goes independent

The Springfield franchise of LaMar's Donuts, 3654 S. Campbell Ave., has broken away, becoming the independent proprietorship Ray's Donuts.

Owner Bill Risberg decided to become independent because he wanted more freedom and wanted to reinvest more of his sales revenue into the Springfield economy, according to a news release.

Risberg said in the release that the location's production of donuts will not change but that more items will be added to the menu.

"We will now have the flexibility to add new items to our product line, such as danishes and cookies," he said.

The Springfield's Ray's is a separate entity from two former LaMar's stores in St. Louis, now also called Ray's. Risberg will, however, pay the St. Louis Ray's owners to share in artwork, packaging and development ideas.

Risberg could face legal action from the LaMar's franchise for not paying his franchise fees - roughly $30,000 a year - since September 2009. Risberg, however, could decide to pursue litigation because he believes LaMars' attorney pressured the real estate company Bill Beall Co. to evict Risberg's company for back-rent. No decisions have been reached by either party, according to Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Read more about the local LaMar's change-up in Springfield Business Journal’s Nov. 15 print edition.[[In-content Ad]]