Dunkin’ Donuts to make UK return
Dunkin’ Donuts is making a return to the UK after pulling out of its first attempt in the mid-1990s.
By Sarah Vizard
The US chain has signed agreements with two franchise groups to bring 50 restaurants to London over the next five years. It is also in “advanced discussions” with other partners for a further 100 branches in the rest of the country.
Dunkin’ Donuts has more than 10,500 restaurants in 31 countries, including Germany and Spain, while its parent group, Dunkin’ Brand, runs the ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins, which has 100 branches across the UK. It previously had 30 stores in the UK but pulled out in the mid-1990s after its focus on doughnuts and coffee failed to appeal to British customers.
The new stores will initially focus on north and east London and offer a range of products, including coffee, teas, muffins and sandwiches, as well as doughnuts. The stores will be run by franchise partners Court Group and DDMG.
David Sheepshanks, chairman of Court Group, says: “Dunkin’ Donuts is one of the world’s most iconic brands, with a long history of offering high-quality beverages and baked goods at a great value for its guests around the world.
“We want to develop the Dunkin’ Donuts brand in east London with the goal of becoming a destination of choice for the local communities around our stores.”
