A blockbuster deal in the liquor industry could bring together such brands as the Glenlivet scotch and Stolichnaya vodka, but Dunkin' Donuts coffee probably won't be part of the mix.
Yesterday the British parent of Dunkin' Donuts, Allied Domecq PLC, agreed to be purchased for $14 billion by Pernod Ricard SA and Fortune Brands Inc., The Wall Street Journal reported. The buyers are expected to divide Allied Domecq's spirit brands and sell Dunkin' Donuts and its sister chains, Baskin-Robbins and Togo's, to help finance their purchase.
Pernod and Dunkin' Donuts declined to comment. An Allied Domecq spokesman said discussions of a sale were ''premature."
Dunkin' Donuts is appealing, said John Glass, a CIBC World Markets analyst who follows the restaurant industry. ''If there's ever going to be a national challenger to Starbucks, it's likely to be Dunkin' Donuts," Glass said.
Dunkin' Donuts, the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain, and the Togo's sandwich chain could be sold separately or together, analysts said. They could be part of an initial public stock offering or sold to another restaurant company or an investment firm. The chains collectively logged $4.8 billion in sales, with $3.6 billion from Dunkin' Donuts.
Because the chains are franchises, Allied Domecq receives only a fraction of the sales. They are a small part of Allied Domecq's business, said Ron Paul, president of Technomic Inc., a Chicago firm. ''I've never seen a good break-out of their numbers," Paul said. ''So it's hard to put a value on them."
Paul said Yum Brands Inc., which operates KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, might be a logical candidate to buy Dunkin' Donuts. But a Yum spokeswoman said such a purchase is not under consideration.
A Boston firm, Bain Capital, has invested in such chains as Burger King and Domino's Pizza, but never comments on marketplace rumors or speculation, a Bain spokesman said.
Hey, Maybe Wal-Mart should buy them. I’m still steamed about the propylene glycol. There will always be changes in flavors and people liking different things, but the propylene glycol [in the flavor shots] is not good. Maybe it was in the old flavored coffees too, I didn’t drink them much so I never looked up the ingredients. And I don’t care what the FDA says. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s not stupid. I’ll still drop into Dunkin for a snack now and then, but it will be less often now I think.
To Whom It May Concern:
The HR Service Center at Tufts University is having a fundraiser to raise money for Breast Cancer in memory of a coworker who passed away 2 years ago.
Last year we were able to raise over $6,000.00 for the Breast Cancer Research.
We would like to ask Dunkin Donuts for a donation of some coffee & donuts for a breakfast we are sponsoring to raise more money for this year. The people from Brighams Ice Cream and Lindt Chocolates have already joined our donation list with donations of a compleste Ice Cream Party from Brighams for over 50 people which raised over $450.00. Lindt Chocolates is also making a generous donation of chocolate to add to our baskets for a raffle.
Please let us know if you are willing to help in this fight for cancer.
We do have a letter that we can send you from the American Cancer Society with their Tax ID # for your records.
Thanks you in advance for any contribution that you can give..
Mary Ann Buonomo and Kim Hall
Tufts University HR Service Center
617-626-5506
To lizziewriter,
I do not work for Dunkin Donuts but know alot about food and beverages (RD). I wanted to educate you on artificial flavorings: propylene glycol is in most of them. Your likely having it in any candy or othered flavored food your buying. If you want to avoid it you must not buy anything with “artificial flavoring” listed on the Food Facts label. Good luck.