Dunkin' Donuts recently announced that it is expanding to Southern California. Dunkin' Donuts has been strategically expanding in contiguous markets across the country with a long-term goal of having more than 15,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the U.S. alone. In addition, the company will continue to open new restaurants in existing markets.
Specifically, the company is recruiting multi-unit franchisees for Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura and Orange counties and expects restaurants in these markets will begin to open in 2015. The company is also interested in identifying qualified food service operators for a wide range of non-traditional venues including colleges and universities, casinos, military bases, supermarkets, airports and travel centers.
Dunkin' Donuts also announced the opening of 291 net new locations in the U.S. in 2012, a net new unit growth rate of 4 percent. In 2013, the company says it plans to open 330 to 360 net new restaurants in the U.S. with growth coming from both new and existing markets, representing an increase of 4.5 percent to 5 percent.
"This past year was an exciting one for Dunkin' Donuts' growth in the U.S., 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, chief executive officer, Dunkin' Brands and president, Dunkin' Donuts U.S., in a prepared statement. "Expansion to California has always been part of our plan to grow Dunkin' Donuts' presence in the U.S. We have maintained our disciplined approach to expand steadily while focusing on initiatives to improve restaurant economics and franchisee profitability. These initiatives include our recent agreement with our franchisee-owned and operated distribution and procurement facility, which ensures the same cost of goods to franchisees in both established and new markets by 2015."
"In addition to California, we believe we have incredible domestic growth opportunities for Dunkin' Donuts, both east and west of the Mississippi. On a global basis, we remain committed to our long-term development goal, which calls for us to accelerate to approximately a 5 percent net new annual development rate for Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins combined," continued Travis.
