Dunkin’s Brands Group, Inc (DBI) has teamed up with Galadari Brothers (GB), the parent company of Galadari Ice Cream Co., to expand its Baskin-Robbins brand.
The two companies have signed a master franchise joint venture that will see approximately 200 new Baskin Robbins stores open across Australia in the next 10 years.
It has taken Dunkin Brands more than two years to find a new master franchisee in Australia after its previous master franchisee Allied Brands went into voluntary administration in October 2010.
Under the terms of the agreement, DBI will maintain a 20 percent stake in the new venture, while GICC, who is also the Baskin Robbins franchisee in the Middle East, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the brand in Australia.
Giorgio Minardi, president, Dunkin’ Brands International said he believes GICC can make the brand just as successful in Australia as it is in the Middle East.
He said Australia is one of the company’s “high opportunity markets” and the agreement will see both the introduction of new franchised stores as well as greater investment in corporate-owned stores.
“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,” he said.
Abdulla Al Shaibani, chairman, Galadari Brothers said the move will benefit franchisees immensely.
“We are very excited about the growth opportunity for Baskin-Robbins in Australia, and we are confident that this joint venture with Dunkin’ Brands will benefit existing franchisees in Australia and bring important synergy to accelerate growth, enhance product innovation, and build the brand in the Australian market.
“For the past three decades, Galadari has taken great pride in providing exceptional customer service and innovative, premium ice cream, cakes and other frozen treats in the Middle East, and we look forward to continuing that tradition in Australia,” said Shaibani.
Khaled Soliman, group CEO, Galadari Brothers said “as a long time Baskin-Robbins licensee with a deep passion for the brand, we’re very enthusiastic in increasing the presence of Baskin-Robbins in Australia and beyond.”
GCC is the world’s largest Baskin-Robbins franchisee with over 500 stores spread across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and now Australia.