The Dunkin doughnuts and coffee chain confirmed it’s held talks to be taken private by a private equity firm, sending shares rocketing to an all-time high at the opening bell Monday.
Dunkin Brands Group said its in preliminary discussions with Inspire Brands, which also owns Arbys and Jimmy Johns Sandwiches. In a prepared statement Sunday, Dunkin said it was not yet certain a deal would be reached and would not comment further.
Inspire Brands said it had no comment Monday, but Dunkin shares jumped 16% to $104.87.
Dunkin, based in Canton, Massachusetts, also owns the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain. There are 13,000 Dunkin stores and 8,000 Baskin-Robbins outlets worldwide.
Both brands have significant history. Dunkin was founded in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts. Baskin-Robbins known for its promise of 31 flavors was founded in 1945 in Glendale, California.
But the global pandemic has hurt sales. Dunkin Brands revenue fell 20% in the second quarter, and the company said franchisees closed 200 restaurants permanently. Dunkin Brands reported full-year sales of $1.4 billion in 2019, up 4% from the previous year.
Atlanta’s Inspire Brands, which was founded in 2018, is quickly placed itself among the largest restaurant groups in the U.S. It also owns the Buffalo Wild Wings and Sonic burger chains, and has annual sales of more than $14 billion.
Dunkin would give Inspire a spot in the breakfast category, which was the fastest-growing segment of the restaurant industry before the pandemic hit.
Inspire is part of the private equity company Roark Capital Group, also based in Atlanta. Roark also backs Focus Brands the owner of Auntie Annes Pretzels and Cinnabon and CKE Restaurants, which owns the Carls Jr. and Hardees burger chains.
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