Dunkin' Donuts to make its return to Canada
Dunkin Donuts is set to make its return to Canada after the U.S. cafe chain struck a deal with Canadian restaurant operator Foodtastic.
kitchener.citynews.caHere’s a concise update on the latest news about Dunkin Donuts Canada Ltd.
- Dunkin Donuts is planning a significant Canadian return. A master franchising deal was announced with Foodtastic to expand across Canada, with the expectation of hundreds of new locations and a first Canadian opening in late 2026 or early 2027. This marks a return after Dunkin's exit from the Canadian market in 2018.[3][5][8]
- The move positions Dunkin to re-enter a market dominated by Tim Hortons, leveraging Foodtastic’s national reach to recruit franchisees and manage development countrywide. Executives have indicated a long-term expansion plan, potentially numbering in the hundreds of units, including numerous Quebec sites.[5][3]
- Public reception and specifics (exact counts, site-by-site plans, and store formats) remain to be clarified, with official communications emphasizing national development rights and first openings targeted for late 2026/early 2027.[9][3][5]
Illustrative context:
- If the plan unfolds as described, Canada could see a Dunkin presence rivaling or complementing existing coffee/donut competition, similar to other large-brand rollouts where a single master franchisee steers broad market development.[8][3]
Key sources you can check for ongoing updates:
- Canoe/ CBC coverage on the Dunkin return and Foodtastic deal.[5]
- Global News card summarizing the announcement and growth ambitions.[3]
- Globe and Mail feature on plans for hundreds of locations and market strategy.[8]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent official press release from Dunkin or Foodtastic and extract the exact statements on timelines, unit estimates, and regional rollout plans.