Economy
Related: About this forumDunkin' Sale Poised to Be Second-Largest Restaurant Deal Ever
Inspire Brands Inc., the private equity-backed company, is poised to sign the sectors second-largest deal ever as it plans a blockbuster takeover of Dunkin Brands Group Inc. The potential purchase could be valued at almost $12 billion including debt, trailing only the $12.1 billion merger of Burger King and Tim Hortons in 2014, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
The megadeal would dramatically expand Inspire, which was formed through the 2018 merger of Arbys and Buffalo Wild Wings. It has since acquired brands including Sonic Corp. and Jimmy Johns, giving it more domestic restaurant locations than industry stalwarts such as Wendys Co.
Inspire, co-founded by Paul Brown of Arbys and Neal Aronson, who started private equity firm Roark Capital Group, is known for taking an active role with its portfolio companies, pushing changes such as new menu items to reinvigorate sales. Dunkin, which has outpaced rivals during the pandemic in part through investments in digital operations, would give Inspire its first brand focused on coffee and breakfast. Shares of Canton, Massachusetts-based Dunkin are up 35% this year, giving it a market valuation of $8.4 billion.
Talks between Inspire and Dunkin are ongoing and an agreement could be announced as soon as Tuesday, though the timing could change, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Dunkin on Sunday confirmed the negotiations following a New York Times report that said an offer could value the shares at $8.8 billion.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-27/dunkin-sale-poised-to-be-second-largest-restaurant-deal-ever
NRaleighLiberal
(60,019 posts)left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Dunkin' Donuts coffee isn't known for its burnt beans and bitter brews, a common opinion when it comes to Starbucks coffee.
Blind taste tests conducted by Consumer Reports consistently rates Starbucks as some of the worst tasting coffee and Dunkin' as some of the best.
https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/dunkin-over-starbucks
NRaleighLiberal
(60,019 posts)Dunkin is all milk and sugar, so who knows what the actual coffee is like!
(I used to live in New England and never understood the attraction. Bad donuts too)
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)If that's how it's ordered.
It came in at #1 in this
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2020/03/17/americas-favorite-coffee-brands-2/3/
Gamecock Lefty
(700 posts)I'm all alone here but I do love me some Dunkin' coffee! I try others and like them just fine but always come back to Dunkin' as my fav.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)elleng
(131,107 posts)USED to like StarB, but have moved over.
Also have their beans at home, as easier to deal with than the Texas roasted beans I used to use.