I didn't realize until recently that Dunkin' Donuts, that quintessentially American franchise, was French-owned. I saw the French crullers and the French Roast coffee, and didn't think twice. I couldn't imagine any self-respecting French company (and I risk contradicting myself there) would ever stoop to owning such a business.
Well, one did. Pernod, to be precise.
Until last night, when a coalition of three American companies pooled their resources and brought the company back into the American fold. Two Boston-based venture capital firms, Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital Partners (which was founded by three men, one of whom was Massachusetts' current governor, Mitt Romney) and Washington, DC - based The Carlyle Group forked over almost two and a half billion dollars in cash.
They say that they don't intend to make any changes, but just the mere thought that the French no longer own Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins.
Togo Sandwiches, however, I could take or leave.
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Comments (13)
I wish there were more Dunk... (Below threshold)1. Posted by WrongWingLiberal | December 13, 2005 2:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I wish there were more Dunkin Donuts in the Dallas area. Coffee without the snobery of that other coffee retail chain.
1. Posted by WrongWingLiberal | December 13, 2005 2:15 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 13, 2005 14:15
2. Posted by DocJim | December 13, 2005 2:18 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
If the Carlyle Group and others bought out Dunkin Donuts from a French company, perhaps the main owners are now Saudis. I thought the Carlyle Group capital was mostly denominated in petrodollars.
2. Posted by DocJim | December 13, 2005 2:18 PM |
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Posted on December 13, 2005 14:18
3. Posted by Marcus | December 13, 2005 2:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You mean that I've been supporting the French all this time? I feel. . .dirty. Very dirty. Good on the folks for buying it back from the French.
3. Posted by Marcus | December 13, 2005 2:19 PM |
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Posted on December 13, 2005 14:19
4. Posted by -S- | December 13, 2005 2:20 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
They.better.not.change.the.coffee.
DD coffee is the best and so are their donuts. I really love the coffeeshop environment, the lack of all that tacky, snobby, uber stuff and would welcome a DD in my neighborhood any day.
Unfortunately, instead, we have Starbucks and a few other WhoIts and Peets and such. DD would be my preference, and I know many folks feel the same way.
But, yeegaads, I never knew DD was a French company. Smart, very smart, purchase there, Carlyle Group.
4. Posted by -S- | December 13, 2005 2:20 PM |
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Posted on December 13, 2005 14:20
5. Posted by -S- | December 13, 2005 2:21 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
DunkinDonuts and White Castle Burgers are among my fondest memories from Gainesville, FL, University of Florida days.
5. Posted by -S- | December 13, 2005 2:21 PM |
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Posted on December 13, 2005 14:21
6. Posted by Randy | December 13, 2005 2:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I am very happy to hear that! I am not surprised that it was Boston that pulled through. Those folks love their Dunkin' Doughnuts.
6. Posted by Randy | December 13, 2005 2:24 PM |
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Posted on December 13, 2005 14:24
7. Posted by Peter F. | December 13, 2005 2:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My cholesterol levels already protest all 3 of these chains. LOL
7. Posted by Peter F. | December 13, 2005 2:37 PM |
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Posted on December 13, 2005 14:37
8. Posted by OC Chuck | December 13, 2005 3:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hey, I like Togos!!!
8. Posted by OC Chuck | December 13, 2005 3:35 PM |
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Posted on December 13, 2005 15:35
9. Posted by McGehee | December 13, 2005 4:41 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Ever since moving to the South I've been promoting Dunkin' Donuts against those slimy things Krispy Kreme pushes, though I hardly ever actually go to a donut shop. They're none of 'em any too convenient to where I live.
I shall have to celebrate this liberation of Dunkin' Donuts from the Dark Side by making a special trip sometime this week.
9. Posted by McGehee | December 13, 2005 4:41 PM |
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Posted on December 13, 2005 16:41
10. Posted by SilverBubble | December 13, 2005 5:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Mmm, DD has good breakfast sandwiches.
10. Posted by SilverBubble | December 13, 2005 5:27 PM |
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Posted on December 13, 2005 17:27
11. Posted by John Burgess | December 13, 2005 6:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Meby it's because I grew up where there were a lot of Canucks, but "French crullers" predate DD. They were a standard at all the bakeries in my town, but the best came from the Polish bakery.
11. Posted by John Burgess | December 13, 2005 6:32 PM |
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Posted on December 13, 2005 18:32
12. Posted by edmcgon | December 14, 2005 6:22 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I hope they bring back the peanut butter cream filled donuts. Still the best donuts I ever had.
12. Posted by edmcgon | December 14, 2005 6:22 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on December 14, 2005 06:22
13. Posted by McGehee | December 14, 2005 10:10 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
peanut butter cream filled donuts
[glurg]
Okay, no donut run today. Maybe tomorrow.
13. Posted by McGehee | December 14, 2005 10:10 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 14, 2005 10:10