Dunkin' Plans To Close 800 U.S. Locations In 2020

CANTON, MA — About 800 Dunkin' locations could permanently close nationwide by the end of the year in what the company called "real estate portfolio rationalization."

The company announced the potential closures Thursday, which would include the 450 limited-menu Speedway locations previously slated to be shuttered.

The Canton-based company said the 800 locations would represent about 8 percent of its stores in the United States and 2 percent of the company's stateside revenue.

While most Dunkin' locations remained opened — at lease for drive-thru service — during the coronavirus crisis, the company said sales were down 18.7 percent year over year in the second quarter. The company also closed 229 locations worldwide in the second quarter, including 180 mostly international Baskin-Robbins ice cream shops.

Dunkin' reported sales have improved week-over-week during the beginning of the third quarter as the country reopens from the coronavirus shutdowns. The company said as of last week, sales declines were down to single digits for open stores.

"We are extremely proud of our great franchisees who kept the vast majority of our restaurants open during the quarter and really stepped up with a sense of urgency and grit to keep their team members employed, our guests served, and their communities running," said Dunkin' CEO David Hoffman.

About 96 percent of Dunkin' locations were open as of July 25, with the majority of those closed at transportation hubs, on college campuses, and in sports venues.

The company said it is working with its franchise owners to determine the location of the proposed closures.

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