Dunkin’ Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts LLC,[1] also known as Dunkin’,[n 1] is an American multinational coffee and doughnut company, as well as a quick service restaurant. It was founded by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1950. The chain was acquired by Baskin-Robbins’s holding company Allied Lyons in 1990; its acquisition of the Mister Donut chain and the conversion of that chain to Dunkin’ Donuts facilitated the brand’s growth in North America that year.[5] Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins eventually became subsidiaries of Dunkin’ Brands, headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts, in 2004, until being purchased by Inspire Brands on December 15, 2020. The chain began rebranding as a “beverage-led company”, and was renamed Dunkin’, in January 2019; while stores in the U.S. began using the new name, the rebranding will eventually be rolled out to all of its international stores.[6]

With approximately 12,900 locations in 42 countries, Dunkin’ is one of the largest coffee shop and donut shop chains in the world.[7][8] Its products include donuts, bagels, coffee, and “Munchkins” donut holes.[9][10]

In 2004, the company’s headquarters were relocated to Canton, Massachusetts. In December 2005, Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins (by then operating under the name Dunkin’ Brands) were sold to a private equity consortium of Bain Capital, Carlyle Group, and Thomas H. Lee Partners for $2.4 billion.[19] By 2010, Dunkin’ Donuts’ global sales were $6 billion.[20]

The Dunkin’ Donuts in Natick, Massachusetts launched a program to test the concept of curbside pickup in December 2016.[21][22]

In January 2018, Dunkin’ Donuts began to open new concept locations, beginning in Quincy, featuring modern decor, cold beverages on tap and a single-cup brewing machine, more packaged take-out options, and dedicated pick-up lines for mobile ordering inside and in the drive-thru. The concept was described as being part of a shift towards becoming an “on-the-go, beverage-led brand”. In addition, the location, as well as others, began to trial signage referring to the chain as simply “Dunkin'”—downplaying “Donuts” from the name.[23][24]

In February 2018, Dunkin’ announced plans to phase out polystyrene foam cups globally for environmental purposes by April 2020.[25][26][27]

On July 11, 2018, Dave Hoffmann took over from Nigel Travis to become the CEO. He is looking to add 1,000 new locations outside of the Northeastern United States by the end of 2020 and to have a revenue increase of 3 percent for stores open a year or longer.[28] Also late 2018, Dunkin’ installed espresso machines at all possible locations and launched espresso products using a new recipe.[29][30]

In June 2019, Dunkin’ partnered with Grubhub to begin the rollout of its new Dunkin’ Delivers service.[31][32] Later in July 2019, Dunkin’ partnered with Beyond Meat to introduce a meatless breakfast sandwich in Manhattan, becoming the first U.S. restaurant brand to serve Beyond Sausage.[33] The sandwich launched nationally later in 2019.[34][35]

In September 2019, the New York attorney general alleged in a lawsuit that Dunkin’ mishandled a series of “brute force” cyberattacks that were directed at customers using the Dunkin’ mobile app. These attacks took place in early 2015 and thousands of usernames and passwords stolen. The state lawsuit alleges that Dunkin’ employees knew about these attacks, but failed to take appropriate action. The New York Attorney General Letitia James alleges the Massachusetts-based company “glazing over” the cyberattacks. A Dunkin’ spokesperson said the restaurant chain has been working with law enforcement for two years and will fight the lawsuit.[36]

In October 2020, Dunkin’ Brands stated that the company was in conversation with Inspire Brands, a private equity-backed company, negotiating to sell the company.[37] Inspire Brands announced on Saturday, October 31, 2020, that they would be acquiring Dunkin’ Brands Group for $11.3 billion, which would include Dunkin’ Brands’ debt that Inspire Brands would be taking on. Inspire would pay $106.50 in cash for all of Dunkin’ Brands’ shares.[38] On December 15, 2020, the acquisition was completed, and Dunkin’ Brands ceased to exist as a separate company, with Dunkin’, Baskin-Robbins, and the trademark management of Mister Donuts, becoming part of Inspire Brands.[39]