CANTON Mass. The opening today of a Dunkin’ Donuts outlet in Taipei City, Taiwan, marks the first step in the chain’s overall plan to expand into mainland China.
Owned by Dunkin' Brands Inc., the 7,123-unit coffee-and-baked-goods chain - which recently surpassed the $1 billion mark in international sales - indicated it is in talks with potential Asian partners and expects to sign agreements later this year to open units in other Chinese cities. The Taiwan unit is franchised to Mercuries & Associates, which has agreed to develop 100 stores in Taiwan over the next decade.
In addition to serving coffee, baked goods and iced beverages, the Taiwan store also offers items developed for local tastes, such as sweet potato, green apple and pineapple doughnuts; an indigenous cake doughnut called a mochi ring; iced teas; and sandwiches.
Dunkin' Brands also owns the Baskin-Robbins and Togo's chains. It is currently looking for a buyer for Togo's