The landscape of China’s coffee market is about to change: Dunkin’ Donuts has inked a deal to open 1,400 new locations over the next 20 years.
The popular US chain has entered an agreement with Golden Cup, which will be responsible for opening and operating the franchise in China. Golden Cup is a joint-venture between the Philippines fast food giant Jollibee, and Jasmine Asset Holding, a unit of RRJ Capital Massive Fund II. The first store under the agreement is expected to open in China during the last quarter of 2015.
This new deal is in addition to the separate agreement Dunkin’ Donuts made last year with the Fast Gourmet Group to develop over 100 stores in Eastern China.
With coffee quickly becoming a premium product in China, and a market dominated by corporate giants like Starbucks and Costa Coffee, Dunkin’ Donuts will have its work cut for itself should it wish to capture some of the lucrative market.
Dunkin’ Donuts has about 8,000 locations in the US, and 3,200 locations around the world.
Photos: Wall Street Journal China