Dunkin’ Donuts is expanding to Southern California as part of the chain’s long-term goal of having more than 15,000 locations across the United States.
The company currently is recruiting multi-unit franchisees for Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura and Orange counties and expects restaurants in these markets will begin opening in 2015. The company also is seeking qualified foodservice operators for nontraditional venues, including colleges and universities, casinos, military bases, supermarkets, airports and travel centers.
Dunkin’ Donuts opened 291 net new locations in the United States in 2012, a net new unit growth rate of 4 percent. In 2013, the company says it plans to open 330 to 360 net new restaurants in the United States with growth coming from both new and existing markets, representing an increase of 4.5 percent to 5 percent.
“Expansion to California has always been part of our plan to grow Dunkin’ Donuts’ presence in the U.S.,” Nigel Travis, chief executive officer, Dunkin’ Brands and president, Dunkin’ Donuts U.S., said in a press release. “We have maintained our disciplined approach to expand steadily while focusing on initiatives to improve restaurant economics and franchisee profitability. These initiatives include our recent agreement with our franchisee-owned and operated distribution and procurement facility, which ensures the same cost of goods to franchisees in both established and new markets by 2015.”
Last year, Dunkin’ signed multi-store agreements in 32 U.S. markets, including Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Birmingham, Alabama; Denver, Colorado; Austin, Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Additionally, in 2012 more than 600 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants were remodeled across the country.