NATIONAL NEWS - Global coffee and bakery chain Dunkin’ Brands Inc has signed a franchise agreement with South Africa’s Grand Parade Investments Ltd (GPI) to open more than 250 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants and more than 70 Baskin-Robbins food shops in South Africa, focusing on Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The leading US brand said it would also launch Baskin-Robbins ice cream products at South African supermarket chains and convenience stores.

“As we continue our global expansion of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, we are delighted to work with GPI to bring both brands to South Africa,” Bill Mitchell, President, Dunkin’ Brands International, said in a statement.

Dunkin’ Donuts has more than 11,500 restaurants in 40 countries worldwide, while Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, with more than 7,600 locations in nearly 50 countries worldwide.

GPI Executive Chairman Hassen Adams said that his group was “thrilled” with its new international alliance: “We aim to grow both brands and contribute significantly towards the South African economy while ramping up efforts to create more jobs.”