After a successful run as a publicly traded company, Dunkin’ Brands is in talks to sell itself and go private, the New York Times reported. The deal would value Dunkin’ at $8.8 billion, and make it part of a family of fast-food brands that includes Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Jimmy John’s. Dunkin’s shares are up 18% over last year (prior to this news sending shares even higher), rebounding sharply after taking a hit in the early days of the pandemic. Sales dropped 20% during Q2, and the coffee chain announced plans to close 800 of its stores. But Dunkin’s emphasis on drive-thrus, mobile ordering, and curbside pickup allowed it to adapt, helping it cater to consumers who now want their first caffeine fix four hours later in the day. As Steve LeVine writes, Dunkin’s model is one that its chief competitor, Starbucks, has been attempting to replicate.
