Baskin-Robbins Introduces Patriotic New OREO® Independence Ice Cream Flavor

CANTON, Mass., May 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Baskin-Robbins, the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, is partnering with the USO (United Service Organizations) to honor America's troops and their families with a new OREO® Independence ice cream flavor. The new, patriotic flavor features vanilla-flavored ice cream swirled with OREO® cookie pieces, candy stars and strawberry-flavored stripes. OREO® Independence is available in pre-packaged ice cream quarts at participating Baskin-Robbins shops nationwide while supplies last through September.

Baskin-Robbins is also proud to support the USO's "Every Moment Counts" campaign and is encouraging guests to send a thank-you message to U.S. troops at home and abroad by visiting USOmoments.org/BR. To make homecomings and celebrations even sweeter, Baskin-Robbins will also be donating 400 3-gallon tubs of ice cream in support of USO events taking place throughout the summer that show deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors and troops in transition just how much their service and sacrifice is appreciated. The Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation is committed to ensuring the safety of our neighborhoods through partnerships with organizations such as the USO.

"We're honored to partner with the USO and show appreciation for U.S. troops and their families for their commitment to military service, and we encourage our loyal guests to join us in sending messages of gratitude to our men and women in uniform," said Bill Mitchell, President, Baskin-Robbins U.S. & Canada, and Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins China, Japan and Korea, who also served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. "Our limited-edition OREO® Independence ice cream is a patriotic-themed flavor that honors our military personnel and we're pleased to share it with our guests this spring and summer."

"Every Moment Counts" is a national campaign to rally Americans to honor and create moments that matter for our troops and their families. The campaign invites Americans to join the USO in honoring and creating moments that count by visiting USOmoments.org and allowing them to pledge and give their gratitude for our troops.

Baskin-Robbins is also helping to make business ownership a reality for the nation's military servicemen and women by offering special incentives for those interested in owning a Baskin-Robbins franchise. For honorably discharged military veterans who sign an agreement in 2014 and timely develop their shops before the end of 2015, Baskin-Robbins will waive the 20-year initial franchisee fee (a $25,000 value) for their first restaurant and offer a 0% royalty rate for the first two years and a reduced royalty rate for years three through five. If a military veteran signs a multi-unit agreement, he or she will be extended a 20% discount on the 20-year initial franchise fee for up to four additional shops that are timely opened, as well as a 10-year payment plan.*

For more information about Baskin-Robbins' wide variety of ice cream flavors and frozen desserts, visit www.BaskinRobbins.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BaskinRobbins), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BaskinRobbins) or Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/baskinrobbins31).

OREO® is a registered trademark of Mondelēz International group, used under license.

* For details, please see the Baskin-Robbins Franchise Disclosure Document.

About Baskin-Robbins
Named the top ice cream and frozen dessert franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine's 35th 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 7,300 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 2013, more than 13 million ice cream cakes were sold in Baskin-Robbins shops worldwide. 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.  

About the Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation 
The Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation brings together a wide network of stakeholders, including franchisees, crew members and employees. The focus of the Foundation is to serve our neighborhoods by taking care of their basic needs – safety, hunger relief and children's health. To learn more about the Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation, please visit www.dunkinbrands.com/foundation.

About the USO
The USO lifts the spirits of America's troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors, troops in transition and families of the fallen. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs and services are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.

Contact:
Justin Drake
Dunkin' Brands
781-737-3315
[email protected]

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SOURCE Baskin-Robbins