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Dunkin’, the coffee franchise traditionally strong in the northeast but now headquartered in Atlanta under Inspire Brands, is set to re-enter Canada through a new master franchisee agreement.
Foodtastic, a restaurant operator with a 27-brand portfolio based in Montreal, is set to bringing the iconic coffee-and-donut concept back into the country as early as the end of this year, building on the success of a similar partnership focused on the Jimmy John’s brand.
“Dunkin’s international footprint continues to thrive, so we are excited to bring this iconic brand to Canada through a strong, like-minded partner,” Michael Haley, president of international at Inspire Brands, said in a news release.
International has been a focus area for Inspire across its portfolio, which includes Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin’, SONIC and other brands, with more than 33,300 cumulative locations worldwide. Dunkin’ accounts not quite half of them (14,200), with a presence across 40 countries. Asia is the strongest non-U.S. region, with China, Japan and South Korea boasting the most Dunkin’ stores, in that order.
According to the Dunkin’ international franchise website, expansions into Germany and Spain are imminent.
The news release didn’t lay out the number of planned locations Inspire aspires to see opened in Canada through the agreement with Foodtastic.
The announcement comes as Inspire, backed by Atlanta-based Roark Capital, prepares for a $2 billion initial public offering that the company reportedly hopes will net at $20 billion valuation.
It also comes years after Canadian firms have begun to make inroads in the Georgia fast-food coffee and donuts scene. Tim Hortons, owned by Canada’s Restaurant Brands International entered the state in 2022 and has expanded to seven cities.
Dunkin’ at one point had 200 stores in Quebec but left the Canadian market in 2018.
