Dunkin' debut in Taiwan seen as prelude to China

Nation's Restaurant News,  Feb 5, 2007  

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Canton, Mass. -- The Jan. 17 debut of a Dunkin' Donuts outlet in Taipei City, Taiwan, marks an initial step in the chain's plan to expand into mainland China, franchisor Dunkin' Brands Inc. indicated.

Dunkin' said it was talking with potential Asian partners and expects to sign agreements this year to open units in China.

The Taiwan franchisee is Mercuries & Associates, which has agreed to develop 100 Dunkin' Donuts shops in Taiwan in the next decade. In addition to Dunkin' Donuts' usual fare, the initial Taipei outlet offers such items as sweet potato, green apple and pineapple doughnuts, and a doughnut with a sweet rice paste called a "mochi ring."

Franchisees of Massachusetts-based Dunkin' Brands operate all 7,123 outlets of the chain. Dunkin' also owns the wholly franchised Baskin-Robbins and Togo's brands.

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