Dunkin’, the U.S. coffee and donut chain, is relaunching in Canada after previously shutting down all of its Canadian locations nearly a decade ago. Multiple outlets report that Montreal-based restaurant operator Foodtastic Inc. has signed a master franchise agreement with Dunkin’s owner, Inspire Brands Inc., giving Foodtastic the exclusive right to operate Dunkin’ restaurants across Canada.
The reported plans call for a rapid rollout of new locations, with Foodtastic indicating it expects to open hundreds of Dunkin’ outlets. CBC and The Globe and Mail say the company aims to begin operations as early as this year, despite competition in Canada’s coffee market. The Independent notes that initial stores are set to open in major cities including Toronto and Montreal.
Overall, the sources agree that the relaunch is driven by the franchise agreement between Foodtastic and Inspire Brands and that Foodtastic’s expansion strategy targets widespread presence in a market dominated by established Canadian chains.
