Baskin-Robbins Announces Major Expansion Plans In China

CANTON, Mass., Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Baskin-Robbins, the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, today announced the signing of five new franchise agreements to greatly expand the brand's presence in China. The new franchise agreements include plans to open 249 additional Baskin-Robbins shops across China over the next 10 years, more than tripling the brand's presence in the country.

The five new Baskin-Robbins franchisees and their development plans include:

• Wuhan Baba Commerce and Trade Ltd. plans to develop 50 locations in Hubei province over the next 10 years.
• Tianjin Aishike Catering Management Co., Ltd. plans to develop 39 shops in Tianjin City over the next 10 years.
• Hebei Banno Food Service Co., Ltd. plans to develop 50 locations in Hebei province over the next 10 years.
• No. 31 Shenyang Cold Beverage Co., Ltd. plans to develop 50 shops in Liaoning province over the next 10 years.
• Beijing Rongshengyuan Dining Culture Co., Ltd. plans to develop 60 locations in Shandong province over the next 10 years.

"We're very excited to expand the Baskin-Robbins brand in China with these five new partners who each have a deep knowledge of their local consumers," said Giorgio Minardi, President of Dunkin' Brands International. "With the development of these additional shops across China, even more ice cream lovers throughout the country will be able to enjoy Baskin-Robbins' delicious ice cream, custom ice cream cakes and frozen beverages, all served in a fun environment and at a great value."

Baskin-Robbins currently has more than 90 locations in China, including shops in Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Hangzhou and Zhengzhou. It offers its guests a wide range of ice cream flavors and frozen treats, including ice cream sundaes, ice cream cakes and frozen beverages. Its shops offer classic Baskin-Robbins flavors including global favorites like Mint Chocolate Chip and Very Berry Strawberry, along with regional favorites like Green Tea. On a worldwide basis, Baskin-Robbins has nearly 7,000 locations in nearly 50 countries around the world.

For more information about Baskin-Robbins, please visit www.baskinrobbins.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BaskinRobbins) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/baskinrobbins).  

About Baskin-Robbins 
Named the top ice cream and frozen dessert franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine's 31st annual Franchise 500® ranking, Baskin-Robbins is the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. Baskin-Robbins creates and markets innovative, premium hard scoop ice cream and soft serve, custom ice cream cakes and a full range of beverages, providing quality and value to consumers at nearly 7,000 retail shops in nearly 50 countries. Baskin-Robbins was founded in 1945 by two ice cream enthusiasts whose passion led to the creation of more than 1,000 ice cream flavors and a wide variety of delicious treats. In 2012, more than 13.3 million ice cream cakes were sold in Baskin-Robbins shops worldwide. For the full-year 2011, Baskin-Robbins' shops had global franchisee-reported sales of approximately $1.8 billion. Headquartered in Canton, Mass., Baskin-Robbins is part of the Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For further information, visit www.BaskinRobbins.com.

SOURCE Baskin-Robbins