Dunkin’ Donuts Plans for 300-Plus New U.S. Restaurants This Year
CANTON, Mass. -- Dunkin' Brands Group continues to be one of the fastest growing quick-service restaurant (QSR) companies in the country. The operator of Dunkin’ Donuts announced today its franchise expansion in the southern California market as well as its plans to open 330 to 360 net new U.S. restaurants.
"This past year was an exciting one for Dunkin' Donuts’ growth in the United States, and we are delighted to begin 2013 with the long-awaited announcement that Dunkin' Donuts will be opening restaurants in California, where there is already incredible passion for our brand," said Nigel Travis, CEO of Dunkin' Brands and the president of Dunkin' Donuts U.S.
The company is recruiting multi-unit franchisees for Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Venture and Orange counties. Restaurants in these markets will begin to open in 2015. According to Grant Benson, Dunkin' Brands' vice president of development, candidates with foodservice, operations and real estate experience will receive the benefits of a multi-million national advertising plan, training and support.
In addition, Dunkin' Donuts intends to make special development incentives available, including reduced royalty fees in the early years of operation and a $10,000 local store marketing contribution by the company for qualifying franchisees.
Along with its expansion to Southern California, the brand's growth strategy also focused on initiatives to improve restaurant economics and franchisee profitability, including a recent agreement with its franchisee-owned and operated procurement facility.
In 2013, the company plans to open 330 to 360 net new restaurants in the U.S. with growth in new and existing markets, representing a 4.5 to 5 percent increase.
This plan will build upon Dunkin' Donuts' 2012 successful opening of 291 new net U.S. locations and its remodeling of more than 600 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants across the country. The company was also ranked No. 1 in customer loyalty in the coffee category for the sixth consecutive year by the 2012 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index., and signed multi-store agreements in 32 U.S. markets including Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisc.; Birmingham, Ala.; Denver; Austin; Houston; and Dallas/Forth Worth.
Globally, Dunkin' Donuts remains committed to its long-term development goal, which calls for acceleration to approximately a 5-percent new annual development rate for Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins combined.
Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Donuts operates more than 10,000 restaurants in 32 countries worldwide and recorded approximately $6.4 billion in sales in 2011. The company's long-term goal is to have more than 15,000 restaurants in the U.S. alone.