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Baskin-Robbins

Baskin-Robbins is a global ice cream chain with a signature pink tasting spoon that started the custom of guests getting free tastes at ice cream parlors across the country. For years its tagline was “31 Flavors,” although the chain has many more flavors than that, including rotating flavors each month which can be incorporated into seasonal ice cream cakes themed around holidays or other events. The chain claims to have more than 1,300 flavors, with at least 31 being offered at each of its mostly franchised locations at any given time.

Baskin-Robbins was founded in 1945 by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins in Glendale, Calif. They owned it until 1967 when it was acquired by United Brands Company, which took it public in 1972. J Lyons and Co. bought it the following year and took it private again. Several mergers led to the company being owned by Dunkin’ Donuts owner Allied Domecq, which combined the two into Dunkin’ Brands. They sold it to a private equity group led by Thomas H. Lee Partners, the Carlyle Group and Bain Capital in 2006, who took it public in 2011. It was taken private again in 2020 when it was purchased by Inspire Brands.

Key Data: Baskin-Robbins

Headquarters: Canton, Mass.

Segment: Quick Service

Restaurant Segment: LSR Dessert/Snack

Number of U.S. Locations: 2,155

2020 Sales: $556.5 million

Annual Growth:

Source: Datassential Firefly 500

CEO: David Hoffman

Parent Group: Inspire Brands

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