Dunkin' franchisee buys Tampa urgent care clinics, plans big expansion

A Tampa-based franchise brands company with multiple Dunkin’, Baskin Robbins and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations, among other entities, is rapidly expanding in what would seemingly be the opposite end of the business world: urgent care clinics.  

The franchise company, Purple Square Management, recently acquired six existing American Family Care clinics in the Tampa area, according to a statement. Purple Square plans to open 18 more locations in the region in the next five years, the release adds. Financial terms of the deal for the six clinics weren’t disclosed.  

Birmingham, Alabama-based AFC, which bills itself as the nation’s leading provider of urgent care, accessible primary care and occupational medicine, has more than 300 clinics and 1,500 in-network providers. Founded in 1982 by Dr. Bruce Irwin with one location, it now cares for millions of patients a year, the release states.  

Purple Square Management, meanwhile, currently owns and operates seven different franchise concepts with more than 245 franchises across 15 states, the release states. The company, on its website, says “with our current development pipeline for all brands we will have over 280 locations by the end of 2023.”

In addition to Dunkin’, Baskin-Robbins and Popeyes, brands in the Purple Management portfolio, according to its website, include upscale bar The Brass Tap, Rent-A-Center, Rimtyme Custom Wheels and Tiresl and Take Five oil services. 

“Florida is the fastest growing state in the country, which means there is a lot of opportunity for us to fill a void in the health care arena and give patients another option for care,” Purple Square President and CEO Vik Patel says in the statement. “I’m very excited about the future growth of AFC and our role with the brand. There is a lot of untapped potential in the urgent care space and AFC is leading the way to bring much needed service to new areas of the country.”

American Family Care medical providers treat and diagnose illnesses like the flu or a cold, COVID-19, injuries and accidents, including broken bones, and help patients manage a variety of health conditions ranging from arthritis to diabetes to high blood pressure, the release states. AFC also offers pre-employment physicals, drug screening and treatment of work-related injuries.

“What AFC has to offer is hard to find in the franchise space — more than 40 years of growth and success,” AFC Vice President of Franchise Development Paige Robinson says in the release. "We are a smart choice for entrepreneurs and multi-brand operators like Vik looking to grow their portfolio with an established brand in a high-performing industry.”