Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. has reached agreement with Galadari Brothers under which Galadari will more than triple Baskin-Robbins’ presence in Australia over the next 10 years. Galadari, which is a longtime Baskin-Robbins’ licensee for the Middle East, plans to open approximately 200 Baskin-Robbins shops over the next 10 years as part of the master franchise joint venture with Dunkin’.
Under the terms of the agreement, Dunkin’ Brands will maintain a 20% stake in the new venture, with Galadari being primarily responsible for day-to-day operations for the brand in Australia. The finalization of the joint venture is subject to usual and customary closing conditions such as regulatory approvals.
“GICC has done an outstanding job of making Baskin-Robbins one of the preeminent ice cream brands in the Middle East, and we believe they can do the same in Australia, one of our high opportunity markets,” said Giorgio Minardi, president of Dunkin’ Brands International. “In addition to their extensive knowledge of Baskin-Robbins and their commitment to provide even greater local management support, GICC, along with Dunkin’ Brands, has agreed to accelerate the development of the Australian market, not only through the addition of franchised locations, but also by investing in corporate-owned and operated stores.
Also as part of our joint venture agreement, the companies will jointly contribute up to $2 million, over the course of the next three years, towards marketing activities. All of this should greatly benefit our existing franchisees and promote and build the Baskin-Robbins brand in Australia.”
Baskin-Robbins, which has been in Australia since 1990, currently has 80 locations across the country, all serving the brand’s variety of ice cream flavors, frozen beverages, ice cream sundaes and custom ice cream cakes. Baskin-Robbins also serves a range of other regional menu items in Australia, including its line of Yoghurt Smoothies.
Galadari is the world’s largest franchisee for Baskin-Robbins with more than 500 stores spread across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
