Dunkin'

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Brands Group is giving its Dunkin’ Donuts stores a big makeover. The chain has been rolling out a “café-style” store redesign that includes a new, earth-toned palette, to make its locations resemble those of rival Starbucks, according to Bloomberg.

Dunkin’ Donuts, which plans to double its current store total to 15,000, is adding features such as more comfortable seating and music to increase its afternoon customer traffic.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins, has named current CEO Nigel Travis, 63, as chairman of the board of directors. Board member Raul Alvarez, 57, has been appointed lead independent director of the board. These changes come as Jon Luther, 69, prepares to retire as director and chairman of the board effective May 15.

New York -- Subway, Google, and Target, took the top three spots in “Social Currency Impact Study 2013” from global consulting firm Vivaldi Partners.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with two franchise groups to develop 11 restaurants throughout New Orleans.

The two franchise groups and their development plans include:

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a franchise agreement with Vietnam Food and Beverage Co. Ltd. for the development of Dunkin' Donuts restaurants across the country over the next several years, with the first locations planned for the Ho Chi Minh city area.
  
“We are excited to partner with Vietnam Food and Beverage Co. Ltd., which has a deep knowledge of the Vietnamese consumer, to open the first Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Vietnam,” said Giorgio Minardi, president, Dunkin' Brands International.”

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced that in 2013 it plans to open 330 to 360 net new restaurants in the United States with growth coming from both new and existing markets, for an increase of 4.5% to 5%. The company also announced that it is expanding to Southern California as part of its long-term goal of having more than 15,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the United States alone.  
 

CANTON, Mass. and STAMFORD, Conn. — Nestle Waters North America has signed a five-year contract making it the exclusive water supplier for Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins restaurants nationwide.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with four franchise groups to develop 29 new restaurants in Houston and Waco, Texas, over the next several years.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin Brands said Friday it has launched its first-ever mobile app for payment and gifting purposes.

The app for iPhone, iPod touch or Android smartphone will allow users to pay food, beverages, and merchandise at Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants throughout the U.S. by scanning a device in-store or at the drive-thru.

Additionally, an mGift feature will enable consumers to send virtual gift cards three ways – text, email, and Facebook Connect.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with three franchise groups to develop 25 new restaurants in Texas over the next several years. The locations include 16 units in Houston and nine in San Antonio.

Dunkin' Donuts' development throughout Texas is part of the company's goal to double the number of Dunkin' restaurants in the United States over the next 20 years.