Editing Dunkin' Donuts (section)

==History==
===1948–1963: Founding years===
[[File:Dunkin' Donuts, Georgia Avenue and Reedie Drive, Wheaton, Maryland (c. 1967).png|thumb|A Dunkin' Donuts store in [[Wheaton, Maryland]] {{circa}} 1967; the restaurant is still there operating today.]]
[[File:Firstdunkin.jpg|thumb|right|The original Dunkin' Donuts in [[Quincy, Massachusetts]], after its renovation in the 2000s]]
[[File:A Dunkin' Donuts restaurant in Hiawassee, Georgia, United States 01.jpg|thumb|Dunkin' in [[Hiawassee, Georgia]]]]
[[William Rosenberg|Bill Rosenberg]] opened the Open Kettle in 1948,   a restaurant selling doughnuts and coffee in [[Quincy, Massachusetts]] (a suburb of [[Boston]]), but in late May 1950,<ref>John Estrella, "Drive Gave Rise to Doughnut Empire," Quincy Patriot Ledger, November 28, 2001, p. 11.</ref> he changed the name  to Dunkin' Donuts after discussions with company executives.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.dunkindonuts.com/internal_redirect/cms.ipressroom.com.s3.amazonaws.com/285/files/201610/Dunkin%27%20Donuts%20History_11%203%2016.pdf |title=Dunkin' Donuts History |access-date=May 19, 2018 |archive-date=May 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521020841/https://news.dunkindonuts.com/internal_redirect/cms.ipressroom.com.s3.amazonaws.com/285/files/201610/Dunkin%27%20Donuts%20History_11%203%2016.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Oliver |first=Myrna |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-23-me-rosenberg23-story.html |title=William Rosenberg, 86; Dunkin' Donuts Founder Pioneered Franchising Businesses |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=September 23, 2002 |access-date=June 2, 2020 |quote=When he started the business in a single shop in Quincy, Mass., in 1948, he called it the Open Kettle. Two years later, sure a better name could sell more doughnuts and coffee, he put his executives in a room with a tape recorder and told them to brainstorm. He later credited his architect with the trademark “Dunkin’ Donuts.” |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803121226/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-23-me-rosenberg23-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He conceived the idea for the restaurant after his experiences selling food in factories and at construction sites, where doughnuts and coffee were the two most popular items. The company introduced its first logo in 1953, and the mascot Dunkie in 1954.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmmdunkindonuts.weebly.com/dunkins-firsts.html|title=Dunkin's Firsts|website=Dunkin' Donuts Corporation}}</ref> The restaurant was successful, and Rosenberg sold franchises to others starting in 1955.<ref>{{cite news |author=Staff Writer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/23/business/william-rosenberg-86-founder-of-dunkin-donuts.html |title=William Rosenberg, 86, Founder of Dunkin' Donuts |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 23, 2002 |access-date=June 2, 2020 |quote=In 1955, hoping to accelerate the growth of the business, Mr. Rosenberg began selling franchises to other people, starting in Worcester. |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126134752/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/23/business/william-rosenberg-86-founder-of-dunkin-donuts.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was during this time that Johnny Spartos, one of the men running the original Quincy location, convinced Rosenberg to produce a donut with a handle specifically for dunking into a cup of coffee.<ref name=":1" />

===1963–1998: Bob Rosenberg===
In 1963, Rosenberg's son [[Robert M. Rosenberg|Bob]] became CEO of the company at age 25, and Dunkin' Donuts opened its hundredth location that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 12, 2021 |title=How Dunkin' Donuts Took Over the World |url=https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/stories/Pages/story-bulletin.aspx?num=8083 |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=Harvard Business School Alumni |language=en}}</ref> Dunkin' Donuts was a subsidiary of Universal Food Systems at the time, a conglomerate of 10 small food-service businesses,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/franchisingbusin00shoo|url-access=registration|title=Franchising: The Business Strategy that Changed the World|last1=Shook|first1=Carrie|last2=Shook|first2=Robert L.|date=January 1, 1993|publisher=Prentice Hall|isbn=978-0-13-065608-7|language=en}}</ref> and Dunkin' Donuts locations varied greatly in their menu options, with some selling full breakfasts and others serving only doughnuts and coffee.

In the following years, the other businesses in the Universal Food Systems portfolio were sold or closed, and the company was renamed to Dunkin' Donuts. The menu and shop format was standardized, and various new menu items were introduced. In the early 1980s counter service and ceramic coffee cups were replaced by self-service counters and paper cups.{{sfn|Rosenberg|2020|p=129}} The chain [[Initial public offering|went public]] in 1968<ref name="around">{{cite book|title=Around the Corner to Around the World|first=Robert |last=Rosenberg|publisher=Harper Collins|year=2020|isbn=978-1-4002-2048-9|page=40}}</ref> and was acquired by [[Baskin-Robbins]] owner [[Allied Domecq|Allied Lyons]] in 1990.<ref>{{cite news |title=COMPANY NEWS; Dunkin' Donuts Agrees to Sale |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/18/business/company-news-dunkin-donuts-agrees-to-sale.html |access-date=October 15, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=November 18, 1989}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/mergersacquisiti00gaug|url-access=registration|title=Mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructurings|last=Gaughan|first=Patrick A.|year=1996|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-471-13145-8|language=en}}</ref> By 1998, the brand had grown to 2,500 locations worldwide with $2 billion in annual sales.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

Dunkin' Donuts expanded in the 1990s by buying out two rival chains: [[Mister Donut]] (which was founded by Bill Rosenberg's former partner [[Harry Winokur]]) and [[Dawn Donuts]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/99601971/|title=Most Dawn Donut shops will start Dunkin'|date=January 18, 1992|work=Detroit Free Press|page=11A|access-date=November 19, 2017|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124130815/https://www.newspapers.com/image/99601971/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1998–present: After Bob Rosenberg===
[[File:Dunkin Donuts (14678867240).jpg|thumb|A Dunkin' Donuts donut]]
The 'Dunkin' Donut' with a handle fashioned on it was discontinued in 2003 (except in Singapore) because it was hand-cut and uneconomical compared to machine-cut doughnuts.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.brandeating.com/2016/08/dunkin-donuts-used-to-have-namesake-donut-with-a-handle.html|title=Dunkin' Donuts' Used to Have a Namesake Donut with a Handle|date=August 12, 2016|website=Brand Eating|access-date=November 20, 2021|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120071618/https://www.brandeating.com/2016/08/dunkin-donuts-used-to-have-namesake-donut-with-a-handle.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2004, the company's headquarters were relocated to Canton, Massachusetts. In December 2005, Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins (by then, operating under the name [[Dunkin' Brands]]) were sold to a private equity consortium of [[Bain Capital]], [[Carlyle Group]], and [[Thomas H. Lee Partners]] for $2.4 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/13/business/parent-of-dunkin-donuts-sold-for-24-billion-to-equity-firms.html|title=Parent of Dunkin' Donuts Sold for $2.4 Billion to Equity Firms|last=Atlas|first=Riva D.|work=The New York Times|date=December 13, 2005|access-date=September 27, 2018|language=en|archive-date=September 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927125246/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/13/business/parent-of-dunkin-donuts-sold-for-24-billion-to-equity-firms.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2010, Dunkin' Donuts' global sales were $6 billion.<ref>{{cite web |title=DunkinDonuts.com |url=http://news.dunkindonuts.com/dunkin+brands/dunkin+brands+about/ |access-date=April 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726020835/http://news.dunkindonuts.com/dunkin+brands/dunkin+brands+about/ |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In June 2013, Dunkin' Donuts unveiled a new store design, the brand's first in almost seven years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-07/dunkin-donuts-adds-jazz-to-get-less-pit-and-more-stop.html/ |title=Dunkin' Donuts Adds Jazz to Get Less Pit and More Stop |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609225245/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-07/dunkin-donuts-adds-jazz-to-get-less-pit-and-more-stop.html |archive-date=June 9, 2013 }}</ref>

The Dunkin' Donuts location in [[Natick, Massachusetts]] launched a program to test the concept of curbside pickup in December 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2016/12/dunkin_donuts_begins_test_of_new_curbside_pickup|title=Dunkin' Donuts begins test of new curbside pickup|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=April 4, 2017|archive-date=December 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226145313/http://www.bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2016/12/dunkin_donuts_begins_test_of_new_curbside_pickup|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/12/12/dunkin-donuts-curbside-pickup-natick-dd-perks/|title=Dunkin' Donuts Is Testing Curbside Pickup Service|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=April 4, 2017|archive-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929230204/http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/12/12/dunkin-donuts-curbside-pickup-natick-dd-perks/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2018, Dunkin' Donuts began to open new concept locations, beginning in Quincy, featuring modern decor, cold beverages on tap and a single-cup brewing machine, more packaged take-out options, and dedicated pick-up lines for mobile ordering inside and in the drive-thru. The concept was described as being part of a shift towards becoming an "on-the-go, beverage-led brand". In addition, the location, as well as others, began to trial signage referring to the chain as simply "Dunkin{{'"}}—removing "Donuts" from the name.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://csnews.com/dunkin-donuts-unveils-beverage-led-store-future|title=Dunkin' Donuts Unveils 'Beverage-Led' Store of the Future|work=Convenience Store News|access-date=September 27, 2018|language=en|archive-date=September 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927125258/https://csnews.com/dunkin-donuts-unveils-beverage-led-store-future|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ramos |first=Nestor |date=November 17, 2017 |title=What's in a name? Not Donuts, apparently |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2017/11/17/what-name-not-donuts-apparently/HhsossU6rnu4EJA4i6KBIJ/story.html |department=Nestor Ramos (column) |website=The Boston Globe |access-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307142231/https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/food-dining/2017/11/17/what-name-not-donuts-apparently/HhsossU6rnu4EJA4i6KBIJ/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2018, Dunkin' announced plans to phase out [[polystyrene]] foam cups globally for environmental purposes by April 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sanicola |first1=Laura |title=Dunkin' Donuts pledges to ditch foam cups |url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/07/news/companies/dunkin-styrofoam-cups/index.html |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=[[CNN Business]] |date=February 8, 2018 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125024026/https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/07/news/companies/dunkin-styrofoam-cups/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Callahan |first1=Chrissy |title=Dunkin's cups are getting an environmentally friendly upgrade |url=https://www.today.com/food/dunkin-ditching-its-styrofoam-coffee-cups-t167315 |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=November 15, 2019 |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810031409/https://www.today.com/food/dunkin-ditching-its-styrofoam-coffee-cups-t167315 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Conscious un-cup-ling: Dunkin' is breaking up with foam coffee cups |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/16/business/dunkin-donuts-foam-cups-trnd/index.html |access-date=May 5, 2020 |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=November 16, 2019 |first=Ryan |last=Prior |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613012946/https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/16/business/dunkin-donuts-foam-cups-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2018, Dave Hoffmann took over from Nigel Travis to become the CEO. He is looking to add 1,000 new locations outside of the [[Northeastern United States]] by the end of 2020 and to have a revenue increase of 3 percent for stores open a year or longer.<ref name="JonC">{{cite news |last=Chesto |first=Jon |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/07/11/new-dunkin-ceo-charts-path-for-growth/eIW5p3baVd3XUtvoIPNDsI/story.html |title=New Dunkin' CEO charts a path for growth |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=July 11, 2018 |access-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712015157/https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/07/11/new-dunkin-ceo-charts-path-for-growth/eIW5p3baVd3XUtvoIPNDsI/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Also late 2018, Dunkin' installed [[espresso]] machines at all possible locations and launched espresso products using a new recipe.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whitten |first1=Sarah |title=Dunkin' says its new espresso is so good, 'you don't have to go to Starbucks' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/13/dunkin-our-espresso-is-so-good-you-dont-have-to-go-to-starbucks.html |access-date=May 5, 2020 |publisher=[[CNBC]] |date=November 13, 2018 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805233445/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/13/dunkin-our-espresso-is-so-good-you-dont-have-to-go-to-starbucks.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tyler |first1=Jessica |title=Dunkin' is doubling down on fancy espresso, but says it has a key advantage over Starbucks |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/dunkin-espresso-plan-to-beat-starbucks-2018-11 |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=[[Business Insider]] |date=November 25, 2018 |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920230813/https://www.businessinsider.com/dunkin-espresso-plan-to-beat-starbucks-2018-11 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2019, Dunkin' partnered with [[Grubhub]] to begin the rollout of its new Dunkin' Delivers service.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mercado |first1=Mia |title=Dunkin' Delivers Through Grubhub In Select Parts Of The U.S. Now |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/dunkin-delivers-through-grubhub-in-select-parts-of-the-us-now-18020198 |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |date=June 19, 2019 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812033935/https://www.bustle.com/p/dunkin-delivers-through-grubhub-in-select-parts-of-the-us-now-18020198 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ng |first1=Shelley |title=Dunkin' and Grubhub roll out new food delivery service called Dunkin' Delivers |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/dunkin-grubhub-new-food-delivery-service-dunkin-delivers |publisher=[[Fox Business]] |date=June 17, 2019 |access-date=May 13, 2020 |archive-date=August 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821080239/https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/dunkin-grubhub-new-food-delivery-service-dunkin-delivers |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in July 2019, Dunkin' partnered with [[Beyond Meat]] to introduce a meatless breakfast sandwich in Manhattan, becoming the first U.S. restaurant brand to serve Beyond Sausage.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lucas |first1=Amelia |title=Dunkin' adds Beyond Meat's sausage to its menu, starting in New York |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/23/dunkin-adds-beyond-meats-sausage-to-its-menu-starting-in-new-york.html |access-date=May 5, 2020 |publisher=CNBC |date=July 24, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108003942/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/23/dunkin-adds-beyond-meats-sausage-to-its-menu-starting-in-new-york.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The sandwich launched nationally later in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lucas |first1=Amelia |title=Dunkin' accelerates nationwide launch of Beyond Meat |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/21/dunkin-accelerates-nationwide-launch-of-beyond-meat.html |access-date=May 5, 2020 |publisher=CNBC |date=October 21, 2019 |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808175431/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/21/dunkin-accelerates-nationwide-launch-of-beyond-meat.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wiener-Bronner |first1=Danielle |title=Dunkin' is launching its Beyond Meat sandwich nationally |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/21/business/dunkin-beyond-meat-sandwich/index.html |access-date=May 5, 2020 |publisher=CNN Business |date=October 21, 2019 |archive-date=May 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514143547/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/21/business/dunkin-beyond-meat-sandwich/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2019, the [[Attorney General of New York|New York attorney general's office]] alleged in a lawsuit that Dunkin' mishandled a series of [[cyberattack]]s that were directed at customers using the Dunkin' [[mobile app]]. These attacks took place in early 2015 and thousands of usernames and passwords stolen. The state lawsuit alleges that Dunkin' employees knew about these attacks, but failed to take appropriate action.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wu |first=Jasmine |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/dunkin-sued-for-cyberattacks-resulting-in-tens-of-thousands-of-dollars-stolen.html |title=Dunkin' sued for cyberattacks resulting in tens of thousands of dollars stolen |work=[[CNBC]] |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=September 27, 2019 |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927183232/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/dunkin-sued-for-cyberattacks-resulting-in-tens-of-thousands-of-dollars-stolen.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2020, [[Dunkin' Brands]] stated that the company was in conversation with [[Inspire Brands]], a private equity-backed company, negotiating to sell the company.<ref name="Hirsch">{{Cite news|last=Hirsch|first=Lauren|date=October 25, 2020|title=Dunkin' Brands Is in Talks to Sell Itself and Go Private|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/25/business/dealbook/dunkin-brands-sale-private-equity.html|access-date=October 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212075152/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/25/business/dealbook/dunkin-brands-sale-private-equity.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They agreed to a deal that was announced on Saturday, October 31, 2020. Inspire Brands would buy Dunkin' Brands for $11.3 billion, which would include Dunkin' Brands' debt that Inspire Brands would be taking on. Inspire would pay $106.50 in cash for each of Dunkin' Brands' shares.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chesto |first1=Jon |title=Dunkin' Brands to go private in $11.3 billion deal with owner of Arby's and Sonic |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/10/30/business/dunkin-brands-go-private-113-billion-deal-with-owner-arbys-sonic/ |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108064503/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/10/30/business/dunkin-brands-go-private-113-billion-deal-with-owner-arbys-sonic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 15, 2020, the acquisition was completed, and Dunkin' Brands ceased to exist as a separate company, with Dunkin', Baskin-Robbins, and the trademark management of Mister Donut, becoming part of Inspire Brands.<ref>{{Cite press release|date=December 15, 2020|title=Inspire Brands Completes Acquisition of Dunkin' Brands|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201215005741/en/Inspire-Brands-Completes-Acquisition-of-Dunkin%E2%80%99-Brands|access-date=December 15, 2020|via=Business Wire|language=en|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126063127/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201215005741/en/Inspire-Brands-Completes-Acquisition-of-Dunkin%E2%80%99-Brands|url-status=live}}</ref>