A trio of investment firms said this week they plan to buy Dunkin’ Brands, the parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins, for $2.43 billion.
Bain Capital Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP, both of Boston and the Carlyle Group, New York, signed a deal Monday to buy the Dunkin’ Brands from Paris, France owner Pernod Ricard SA. The deal also includes acquisition of the Togo’s restaurant chain.
The sale is expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2006.
Pernod Ricard bought the companies earlier this year as part of its $14 billion purchase of Allied Domecq Plc of Britain, according to news reports.
“This transaction provides for the future of Dunkin’ Brands, its franchisees, restaurant employees and customers,” Dunkin’ Brands CEO Jon L. Luther said in a statement. “With our new owners ready to support us in our growth efforts, a strong management team on board and continued excellent franchisee relationships, Dunkin’ Brands is well-positioned for global expansion.”
The firms plan to expand Dunkin’ Donuts beyond the northeast to help the chain compete with Starbucks. Luther will remain in his current position as part of the acquisition.
Canton, MA-based Dunkin’ Donuts has more than 6,500 outlets globally. The QSR gets more than half of its business from coffee sales. Baskin-Robbins operates more than 5,600 retails shops worldwide, whereas Togo’s runs more than 400 stores in the U.S.
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