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Last Updated:
2024-09-22 08:20:01

Dunkin' Donuts

American multinational coffee and doughnut company
Dunkin' Donuts
Dunkin' Donuts
American multinational coffee and doughnut company

Dunkin' Donuts, now known as Dunkin', is a global coffee and donut chain founded in 1950. It has over 12,900 locations in 42 countries, offering a variety of products including donuts, bagels, coffee, and Munchkins.

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1916
Birth of William Rosenberg

William Rosenberg, the founder of Dunkin' Donuts, was born in Massachusetts in 1916.

1948-01-01
First Dunkin' Donuts shop opened as 'Open Kettle'

The first Dunkin' Donuts shop opened under the name 'Open Kettle' on January 1, 1948. The exact day is uncertain, and January 1 might not be the accurate date.

1950-01-01
Renaming of the shop to Dunkin' Donuts

On January 1, 1950, the shop originally named 'Open Kettle' was officially renamed as Dunkin' Donuts. This change marked a significant moment in the history of the popular coffee and donut chain.

1953-01-01
Introduction of Dunkin' Donuts Logo

On January 1, 1953, Dunkin' Donuts unveiled its iconic logo, which would become synonymous with the brand and play a significant role in its marketing and recognition.

1954-01-01
Expansion of Dunkin' Donuts Product Line

By January 1, 1954, Dunkin' Donuts had diversified its product offerings to include a variety of baked goods, hot beverages, iced beverages, frozen beverages, sandwiches, and soft drinks, catering to a wider customer base.

1963
Opening of 100th restaurant

In 1963, Dunkin' Donuts opened its 100th restaurant, marking a significant milestone in its growth.

1970
Dunkin Donuts International Expansion

In 1970, Dunkin Donuts made its international debut with the opening of its first overseas restaurant in Japan. This marked the beginning of the brand's global presence.

1973
Munchkins Donut Hole Treats

In 1973, Dunkin' Donuts started selling Munchkins donut hole treats as a creative way to utilize the donut dough from the center of the donut. Currently, approximately 1 billion Munchkins donut hole treats are sold globally each year.

1978
Introduction of Muffins at Dunkin Donuts

In 1978, Dunkin Donuts added muffins to their menu, offering 7 different flavors including blueberry, plain, and chocolate chip. These sweet treats became popular and were enjoyed throughout the day by customers.

1979
Expansion to over 1,000 locations

By 1979, Dunkin' Donuts had expanded to over 1,000 locations, showcasing its rapid growth and popularity.

1980
First Dunkin' Donuts store opens in the Philippines

The first Philippine store of Dunkin' Donuts opened in Makati in 1980 under the Philippine franchisee Golden Donuts Incorporated (GDI). Dunkin' Donuts later expanded to other cities in the Philippines.

1982
Debut of Fred the Baker Commercials

Dunkin Donuts launched its iconic 'Fred the Baker' commercials in 1982, featuring actor Michael Vale as the recognizable salesman.

1986
Dunkin' Donuts enters Saudi Arabia

Dunkin' Donuts opened its first location in Saudi Arabia in 1986 and has since expanded to operate over 500 stores in the Kingdom by October 2022.

1990
Acquisition by Baskin-Robins

In 1990, Dunkin Donuts was acquired by Baskin-Robins's holding company, leading to a partnership that emphasized advertising efforts.

1992
3,000th Dunkin' Donuts Restaurant Opening

In 1992, the 3,000th Dunkin' Donuts restaurant was opened, showcasing the continued growth and success of the chain.

1995
Vale and Bob Rosenberg at Quincy Dunkin' Donuts

In 1995, Vale was pictured with former Dunkin' Donuts CEO Bob Rosenberg at the original Quincy Dunkin' Donuts location.

1996
Addition of Bagels to Dunkin' Donuts Menu

In 1996, Dunkin' Donuts introduced bagels to their menu, expanding their offerings to include this popular breakfast item.

1997
Introduction of Breakfast Sandwiches at Dunkin' Donuts

The following year in 1997, Dunkin' Donuts added breakfast sandwiches to their menu, providing customers with more breakfast options.

1998
Michael Vale leaves Dunkin Donuts advertising business

Michael Vale, popularly known as 'Fred the Baker', departed from the advertising business at Dunkin Donuts in 1998. His absence left a void as he was a unique figure in the company's commercials.

1999
Introduction of New Menu Offerings and Products

Under Robert Rosenberg's leadership until 1999, Dunkin' Donuts introduced a variety of new menu offerings including muffins, bagels, donut holes (Munchkins), croissants, breakfast sandwiches, Coolattas, and other beverages.

2001
Dunkin' Donuts Center Naming Rights Purchased

In 2001, Dunkin' Donuts purchased the naming rights for the former Providence Civic Center, renaming it the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

2003
Discontinuation of Dunkin' Donuts' Donut with Handle

In 2003, Dunkin' Donuts discontinued a donut specifically designed for dunking, which had a handle. The decision was made due to the inefficiency of hand-cutting the donuts compared to machine-cut ones.

2004
Headquarters moved from Quincy to Canton

In 2004, Dunkin Donut's headquarters was relocated from Quincy to Canton in Massachusetts. The CEO made the decision to keep the headquarters within the state.

2005
Acquisition of Dunkin Donuts and Baskin-Robbins

Dunkin Donuts and Baskin-Robbins were acquired by Bain Capital, Carlyle Group, and Thomas H. Lee Partners for 2.4 billion dollars. The ownership changed hands, but there were no significant changes to the company's products.

2006-03
Dunkin' Donuts changes slogan to 'America Runs on Dunkin'

In March 2006, Dunkin' Donuts changed its slogan to 'America Runs on Dunkin', emphasizing its popularity and importance in American culture.

2007
Dunkin Donuts Entry into Taiwan

In 2007, Dunkin Donuts expanded its international reach by opening its first restaurant in Taiwan, further solidifying its presence in the Asian market.

2008-05
Controversy over Rachael Ray's scarf in Dunkin' Donuts commercial

In May 2008, Dunkin' Donuts faced criticism and removed a commercial featuring Rachael Ray wearing a scarf that was perceived to resemble a keffiyeh, leading to accusations of supporting terrorism.

2009-03
Introduction of alternate slogan 'You 'Kin Do It!' by Dunkin' Donuts

In March 2009, Dunkin' Donuts unveiled the alternate slogan 'You 'Kin Do It!' as part of a major ad campaign, aiming to motivate and engage customers.

2010-05
Criticism of 'Free Iced Coffee Day' Promotion

In May 2010, Dunkin' Donuts faced backlash for promoting 'Free Iced Coffee Day' on its national Facebook page, which was only available in 13 cities. This led to customer dissatisfaction and negative feedback on social media.

2011-02-24
Dunkin' Donuts signs franchise agreement for India

On February 24, 2011, Dunkin' Donuts signed a master franchise agreement with Indian food service company Jubilant FoodWorks to operate the brand in India.

2012-01-01
Launch of Dunkin' Donuts Mobile App

On January 1, 2012, Dunkin' Donuts launched its mobile app, providing customers with a convenient way to order and engage with the brand.

2013-01-16
Dunkin' Donuts Franchises Expansion to California

Nigel Travis, Dunkin' Brands CEO, announced that Dunkin' Donuts franchises would be available in California starting in 2015.

2014-03-10
Opening of First Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins Store in Southern California

The first Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins combination store in Southern California opened in Ramona.

2014-12-05
Dunkin' Donuts opens first location in Nordic region

On December 5, 2014, Dunkin' Donuts opened their first location in the Nordic region at the Täby Centrum shopping mall in the outskirts of Stockholm, Sweden.

2015-04-01
First Dunkin' Donuts store opens in Denmark

On April 1, 2015, the first store in Denmark opened in Copenhagen Central Station.

2015-11-16
Number of Dunkin' Donuts Restaurants Worldwide

As of November 16, 2015, Dunkin' Donuts had expanded to over 11,000 restaurants across 33 countries.

2016-01-21
Dunkin' Brands signs franchise agreement for South Africa

On January 21, 2016, Dunkin' Brands announced a master franchise agreement with Grand Parade Investments Ltd. to develop Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins outlets throughout South Africa.

2017-02-09
Transition to Franchisee Owned and Operated Dunkin' Locations

All Dunkin' locations became franchisee owned and operated.

2018-07-24
Dunkin' Donuts Swedish operations file for bankruptcy

On July 24, 2018, Dunkin Donuts announced that the company's Swedish operations had filed for bankruptcy and all locations in Sweden would close immediately.

2019-01
Rebranding to Dunkin'

Dunkin' Donuts began rebranding as a 'beverage-led company' in January 2019 and changed its name to Dunkin'. The company aimed to focus more on beverages and initiated the rebranding process.

2020-07-30
Closure of 800 Dunkin' Donuts Shops in the US

Dunkin' Brands announced the permanent closure of 800 shops in the US due to a 20 percent drop in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020-12-15
Acquisition by Inspire Brands

Inspire Brands purchased Dunkin' Brands, the parent company of Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins, on December 15, 2020. This marked a new chapter for the company under new ownership.

2021
Expansion of Dunkin' Donuts Restaurants Worldwide

As of today, there are over 12,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants operating in 45 different countries. The brand has been focusing on menu innovation, introducing a variety of beverages such as Rainforest Alliance Certified™ Dark Roast coffee, Cold Brew, Macchiato, and Premium Hot Teas.

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