Dunkin' strikes deal to open 1,400 stores in China

NEW YORK — Dunkin’ Donuts confirmed Wednesday that it struck a deal to open more than 1,400 locations in China over the next 20 years.

The chain said in an email there are 16 Dunkin’ Donuts locations in the country.

Parent company Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., which is based in Canton, Massachusetts and also owns Baskin Robbins, said it entered into a master franchise agreement with Golden Cup Pte. Ltd. The group is a joint venture between Jollibee Worldwide Pte Ltd., based in the Philippines, and Jasmine Asset Holding Ltd, a unit of RRJ Capital Master Fund II, L.P., according to Dunkin’.

The deal was noted Wednesday by Janney analyst Mark Kalinowski, who cited an overseas report about it in the Nikkei Asian Review. Kalinowski said the deal would significantly expand Dunkin’ Donuts’ international presence; the chain ended the most recent quarter with about 3,200 international locations.

In the U.S., Dunkin’ Donuts had about 8,000 locations at the end of the quarter. The company has been expanding domestically as well, and recently opened its first traditional location in Southern California.