News

Dunkin' opening at least 200 units per year over next 3 years

May 8, 2019

In an effort to meets its goal of adding 200 to 250 restaurants each year over the next three years in the U.S., Dunkin' Brands Group Inc. has signed agreements to open 50 locations over the next few years in Texas, Michigan, Kentucky, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Nevada and Missouri.

"As we continue our national expansion with new and existing franchisees, we are bringing our modernized design and beverage-led brand into new areas beyond the Northeast," Grant Benson, Dunkin' CFE, senior vice president of franchising and business development, said in a company press release. "With modifications, such as our on-tap cold beverages, high-quality drive-thrus, and on-the-go mobile ordering capabilities, we plan to capitalize on the momentum we experienced in 2018 and continue providing ‘great coffee, fast' for years to come."

The chain is offering existing and new franchisees opportunities in dozens of markets east and west of the Mississippi River, and franchisees may choose among a variety of formats, including free-standing restaurants, end caps, in-line sites, gas and convenience stores, travel plazas,universities and other retail environments, Benson said. In 2018, the brand opened the first iteration of its NextGen restaurant, designed to cater to the on-the-go customer, and leveraging innovative in-store technology and design elements to stay modern and relevant with guests. 

Several targeted markets for growth in 2019 include California, North and South Carolina, Arkansas, Nevada, Michigan, Texas, Georgia, among others, according to the release.

Dunkin' reported May 2 that turned in a better-than-anticipated first quarter 2019 performance, which the company's board said allowed it to issue a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of $0.375 per share of common stock.

Wall Street analysts predicted that Q1 2019 total revenues would equal  $312.5 million, but Dunkin' beat it by turning in $319.1 million for the quarter ending March 30, up 5.9% over last year's Q1 results. 

Founded in 1950, Dunkin' has more than 12,800 restaurants in 44 countries worldwide.