CANTON, Mass., Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN), the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, announced today a commitment to source only 100% sustainable palm oil in the United States by 2016. Dunkin' Brands will work with its suppliers and its franchisee-owned purchasing cooperative to source palm oil that is 100% fully traceable to the mill by the end of 2015, and to the plantation by the end of 2016 for use in Dunkin' Donuts U.S. restaurants.

In addition, Dunkin' Brands will develop and publish a phased implementation plan, including mapping its international supply chain, by March 1, 2015. Dunkin' Brands engaged with several nonprofit organizations to develop its responsible palm oil supply plan, which includes formal guidelines for palm oil suppliers. The company will continue to work with these organizations to help meet the targets.

Dunkin' Donuts currently uses a blend of palm oil, soy and cottonseed oil for preparing donuts, and has supported a moratorium on palm oil expansion in rainforests and peatlands since 2012. According to Christine Riley Miller, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Dunkin' Brands, "Sourcing even limited amounts of palm oil irresponsibly can contribute to deforestation, loss of natural habitats and other environmental and human rights concerns. Therefore, Dunkin' Brands has created clear guidelines for our suppliers, and to ensure independent verification that our principles are being met, so that by 2016 we can meet our targets of sourcing only responsibly-produced palm oil," she said. "As part of our overall commitment to being a socially responsible company, Dunkin' Brands is focused on finding sustainable business solutions that meet the needs of our guests and our franchisees, and that benefit our communities and the planet."

As part of Dunkin' Brands' policies and standards, suppliers will be held accountable to several principles in the company's commitment to source responsible palm oil. These include no development of High Carbon Stock forests and High Conservation Value areas; no burning in preparation of land or in development; progressive reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions on existing plantations from all sources; no development on peat areas regardless of depth; and respect and no exploitation of people and communities including support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Dunkin' Brands will evaluate suppliers' palm oil policies to ensure they are aligned with the company's timeline and principles, and require that suppliers who are in serious violation of its policy take immediate action to correct any violations.

By March 1, 2015, Dunkin' Brands will develop and publish a phased implementation plan for sourcing 100% responsible palm oil. The plan will include steps towards broadening Dunkin' Brands' palm oil initiatives by requiring that 100% of the palm oil sourced for use in the company's international business is responsibly produced. Additionally, Dunkin' Donuts will continue to share its progress annually.

To download or read Dunkin' Brands' current corporate social responsibility report, Focused on Sustainable Solutions, or to learn more about Dunkin' Brands' CSR initiatives, please visit http://news.dunkinbrands.com/content/default.aspx?NewsAreaId=26&__EventTarget=PageIndex&__EVENTARGUMENT=6.

About Dunkin' Brands

With more than 18,000 points of distribution in nearly 60 countries worldwide, Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) is one of the world's leading franchisors of quick service restaurants (QSR) serving hot and cold coffee and baked goods, as well as hard-serve ice cream. At the end of fiscal 2013, Dunkin' Brands' nearly 100 percent franchised business model included nearly 11,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants and 7,300 Baskin-Robbins restaurants. Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. is headquartered in Canton, Mass.

Contact:

Michelle King
Dunkin' Brands
781-737-3585
Michelle.King@dunkinbrands.com

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SOURCE Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.