The REAL story behind the Dunkin Donuts charade.

[KyndCulture]

Canton chain's new owners hope for 15,000 locations by 2020, with multiple formats and new menu offerings

By Chris Reidy, Globe Staff | June 9, 2006

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- A glimpse of the Dunkin' Donuts of the future can be found here.

Dunkin' Brands Inc. executives said yesterday they plan to rely on multiple formats to rapidly expand to nearly 15,000 US locations by 2020, up from about 5,000 today. That can range from gas stations to carts to Dunkin' stores inside supermarkets and other retailers. But two-thirds of the new Dunkin's will likely resemble a prototype store the company opened here last November.

With a smaller footprint and a warmer color scheme, that includes tans and browns, as well as the brand's signature pink and orange, the hope is that the prototype becomes the workhorse of the company's nationwide expansion.

The store features a more open design to better showcase newer products -- such as breakfast pizza, and gourmet cookies and brownies. Cookies and brownies are supposed to give a jolt to Dunkin' Donuts' afternoon business. About 65 percent of the $3.8 billion in sales of US Dunkin' stores last year came before noon.

``We think there's a runway ahead," said chief executive Jon Luther, referring to the ability of the Dunkin' brand to take off.

Pushing multiple formats comes as new owners take the reins of Dunkin', which has its headquarters in Canton. Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners, two of Boston's largest buyout companies, and the Carlyle Group of Washington, D.C., bought Dunkin' and sister brands Baskin-Robbins ice cream and Togo's sandwich shops for $2.43 billion earlier this year.

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/06/09/dunkin_plots_national_push/



SOOOOOO chimpy McWhore was just visiting another Carlyle Group project...

skuze me while I puke.

[tanyev]

1. One big free commercial for them.

Like product placement in a movie.

[grasswire]

2. yep

It was cheap brand pandering for daddy's donut shop. And they wonder why the American people are so cynical.

[havocmom]

3. Explains the tie he was wearing

Dunkin DoNut pink.

He will start looking like a NASCAR auto any time now.

[pepperbear]

4. I must admit that the store looked a lot like a Starbucks. n/t

[gaspee]

5. Now that really sucks

DD was always a local brand. I didn't know it had been sold. You can't trip in RI without landing on a Dunkin Donuts. Sigh. Another place for me not to spend the money I don't have.

And DD is NOTHING like Starbucks. or it didn't used to be.

[Chemical Bill]

10. We have Allie's Donuts! n/t

[gaspee]

11. Too far for me to drive.

I can walk to Dunkin Donuts. Hell, I can walk to three of them!

And I love Allie's. If I'm ever down that way, I stop in.

[Chemical Bill]

14. Talk about a real Ro Dilanda. n/t

[unpossibles]

6. damn it!

I went to Duncan Donuts for coffee twice last week in NYC! Curses!

This is strange though... I wonder if they're working on some super secret new Smart Stomach Bomb Donut Technology or something....

[TreasonousBastard]

7. Fuck the Carlyle angle, we...

knew that DD was bought out and that's the least of the problems.

Starbucks and DD have managed to infiltrate everything from train stations and airports to highway rest stops with their lousy overpriced coffee. Often as not, they contract to be the exclusive coffee shop, and even if they don't they drive everyone else out.

Now, there are little guys out there that do have worse coffee, and some aren't all that ashamed to charge for it. But one thing we don't need any more is another huge shitty chain getting bigger.

[NashVegas]

8. I Miss Dunkin Donuts

In Nashville it's all Krispy Kreme. *sigh*

[TreasonousBastard]

9. Another chain that tried to take over the world...

and I know a lot people do like the chain places. I'm partial to a few of them myself.

It's just chains coming in and pushing everyone else out that sucks.

[AspenRose]

12. That's too bad, because Dunkin Donuts does have good cookies

Shipley's Donuts rock.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

13. mmm doughnuts...

[itzamirakul]

15. If for any reason Dunkin Donuts is waiting for my business

then they will surely go bankrupt. Their donuts are not nearly as good as Krispy Kreme but I very seldom eat those either. I'll watch the Food Channel and learn to make my own from Paula Dean. :)

[MaineDem]

16. I actually like Dunkin Donuts - and Tim Horton's

There are only a few Tim's around but I prefer them to DD. I love going to Canada. There's a Tim's on ever corner! :)

I'm sorry DD is owned by the Carlise Group.