May 12, 2026 "Dunkin's Canadian comeback to start in Toronto and Montreal": Today I found this article by Lane Harrison on CBC:
In a country dominated by Tim Hortons, will anyone run to Dunkin'?
Montreal-based restaurant operator Foodtastic thinks so, and plans to bring hundreds of the doughnut shops to Canada as early as this year.
The company said Tuesday it has signed a master franchising agreement with Inspire Brands to bring one of America's largest coffee chains back to Canada.
The brand will start with locations in Toronto and Montreal before expanding elsewhere, Peter Mammas, CEO of Foodtastic told CBC News.
He said the plan is to start by establishing a footprint in Ontario and Quebec,
before expanding to other provinces.
"We'll probably open the first door within six months and within the year we'll be opening one a month," he said.
"It's a younger, cooler brand. And I think it's something that's missing in the landscape."
While Dunkin' — formerly known as Dunkin' Donuts — once had hundreds of Canadian locations, it departed in 2018 after Quebec franchisees successfully sued the company for not sufficiently promoting the brand. The chain, founded in 1950, sells coffee, donuts and breakfast sandwiches.
Can the American giant lure customers in Canada?
While hundreds of locations may sound like a lot, it's not a huge threat to Tim Hortons and its more than 4,000 stores, said David Soberman, a professor of marketing at the University of Toronto.
He said when
a big company enters a space already dominated by an established presence,
it's often those with less market share that suffer the most.
"The two biggest players have the heft, if you will, to be able to compete with each other,"
he said.
"But some of the smaller chains might find life kind of difficult."
He said Canadian consumers already flock to American brands,
with 1,400 McDonald's locations dotting the country.
Robert Carter, president of the Coffee Association of Canada, said there's still room for growth in the Canadian coffee market.
"When we look at the trends that are taking place in the U.S.,
they're very similar of what we see within the Canadian market,"
he said.
That means for an American brand coming into Canada,
there are more similarities in coffee than other types of food service.
Some sticking with Tim's, others excited
While Mammas says he's confident Canadians are ready for a new coffee brand, several customers walking out of a Tim Horton's in downtown Toronto on Tuesday said they'll stick with the red and white cup.
"I think people are loyal to Tim Horton's and the Canadian brand," said Jeff Small.
Another customer, Jason Goring, put a finer point on his support for the national identity behind Tim Horton's, echoing a sentiment that led to a Buy Canadian movement last year.
"I don't like America at all," he said. “[U.S. President Donald] Trump is the biggest evil in the world."
Mammas counters that point by saying in addition to his company being based in Quebec, he said the Dunkin' shops will be run by Canadian franchisees.
"It's definitely a very Canadian way of doing this," he said.
Meanwhile, some others are counting down the days. Toronto-based, flight attendant Jay Antflick said the brand provides nostalgia for road trips across the United States as a kid.
"Where I grew up, like Northeast, especially in Massachusetts, like Boston, it was huge over there," he said.
Antflick travels south of the border frequently for work and says he gets Dunkin' up to three times a day when he's there.
He said he'll line up for opening day in Toronto.
"I'm going to order the largest size black iced coffee with a shot of hazelnut and whatever seasonal flavour they have."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/dunkin-donuts-canada-9.7196636
May 12, 2026 "How Dunkin’ plans to conquer Canada: Healthy menu, trendy beverages and focus on Gen Z": Today I found this article Anam Khan on BNN Bloomberg:
Popular U.S. cafe chain Dunkin’ is expected to make a return to Canada, after shutting hundreds of locations before leaving eight years ago.
Its return this time will be different, says Peter Mammas, the president and CEO of restaurant holding company Foodtastic, which signed a master franchising agreement with Dunkin’ owner Inspire Brands to bring the cafe chain back to the North.
Mammas says this time the chain’s focus will be on Canadian ownership.
“I think
the support
and the Canadian ownership
is going to help the brand here make a comeback,”
says Mammas.
Dunkin’ confirmed its total exit from the Canadian market in September 2018.
The failure of the brand was cemented
by a $16.4 million civil court judgment awarded to Quebec franchisees after they successfully sued Dunkin’ Brands Canada Ltd.
for failing to adequately
support
and promote
the brand against competitors like Tim Hortons.
Mammas says that situation was different because it was many years ago under different leadership.
Now, a Canadian company bought the rights to the chain
and will do things differently.
How many new Dunkin’ stores?
Mammas expects the first Dunkin’ cafes to open in Canada later this year.
A year from now, he says the company will likely be able
to open a cafe a week,
and about 50 cafes a year.
The Montreal-based restaurant holding company owns and manages over 1,200 locations across Canada and internationally.
Its portfolio includes major chains like
Second Cup,
Milestones,
Freshii,
Pita Pit,
and Quesada.
With that experience, Mammas says the company is well positioned to scale the brand.
“We have boots on the ground, so we’re going to have local support to support the franchisees,” he says.
He says the company will concentrate on opening stories in Quebec and Ontario for the first two years
before opening cafes in the Maritimes and the West Coast.
Mammas says Foodtastic already successfully brought Jimmy John’s to Canada.
“So we kind of found that it would be a good fit to bring Dunkin’ back,” he says.
What’s new?
Mammas says the company plans to cater to a younger crowd while offering healthier food options.
He says Dunkin’ parent company Inspire Brands has already done a great job revitalizing the brand.
“It’s become a younger, cooler brand.
It’s more in tune with the millennials and the Gen Zs,”
he says.
“I think we’re going to resonate with the 13 to 35 crowd, and that’s what we’re going to go after.”
This means trying to target the “beverage drinkers” he says, which has been a key focus for the company after it rebranded in 2018 to become a beverage-led company focusing heavily on coffee and iced beverages.
It also simplified its name from Dunkin’ Donuts to Dunkin’.
Mammas says once Dunkin’ opens in Canada, the company will tweak a few of the American menu items.
“Being Foodtastic, we’re kind of privileged.
We have over seven chefs
and two drink experts,
so we’re going to adapt what we need to the market,”
says Mammas.
Should competition be concerned?
Popular coffee chains in Canada – including
Tim Hortons,
McDonald’s
and Starbucks
– may have reason to worry about Dunkin’s comeback, according to retail analyst Bruce Winder.
While Tim Hortons remains the market leader,
Winder suggests that Dunkin’s return would introduce significant low-cost competition.
He believes the brand’s approach will be more strategic this time.
“I think they’re going to take it slow.
I think they’ve done more research,”
he said, adding that the company will “nurture” the brand
and find a unique flavour and menu for Canadians,
instead of just bringing the same U.S. items north of the border.
My opinion: You can buy donuts at groceries stores and bakeries too.
Does anyone remember that Dunkin' was in Canada before?
I don't remember, and maybe there probably weren't a lot in Alberta.
Dunkin’ confirmed its total exit from the Canadian market in September 2018.
The failure of the brand was cemented
by a $16.4 million civil court judgment awarded to Quebec franchisees after they successfully sued Dunkin’ Brands Canada Ltd.
My week:
Sat. May 16, 2026 Leo polls:
Sara-Jayne C, Edmonton , Alberta, would like to know:
Which of Canada’s official languages are you fluent in?
English
47.28% (3219)
French
33.18% (2259)
Both English and French
19.55% (1331)
My opinion: English.
Sun. May 20, 2026:
Kassandra S, Leduc, Alberta, would like to know:
Are you a vegetarian?
No
93.53% (4132)
Yes
6.47% (286)
My opinion: No.
Thurs. May, 21, 2026:
Lillia M, Ontario, would like to know:
How often do you buy new clothes?
Only when needed
54.22% (2055)
Once or twice a year
31.21% (1183)
Every month
13.17% (499)
Every week
1.40% (53)
My opinion: Only when needed. I rarely buy clothes or things to own.
Fri. May 15, 2026: I found this on Facebook:
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