Dunkin' Donuts to Make Massive Push Into China China will soon run on Dunkin' as the chain hopes to gain a stronger foothold with 1,400 new locations.

By Reuters

This story originally appeared on Reuters

Dunkin' Brands Group Inc on Thursday said it has struck a development deal to open 1,400 new Dunkin' Donuts cafes in China over the next 20 years.

The company said it currently has 16 Dunkin' Donuts cafes in China, a key growth market for top U.S. restaurant brands. Dunkin' Donuts rivals McDonald's Corp and Starbucks Corp , currently have roughly 2,000 and 1,400 units, respectively, inChina.

The long-term master franchise agreement, which Dunkin' described as its largest development deal in company history, is with Golden Cup Pte. Ltd.

Golden Cup is a joint venture between Philippines-based Jollibee Worldwide Pte Ltd. and Jasmine Asset Holding Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of investment fund RRJ Capital Master Fund II, L.P.

The joint venture has exclusive rights to expand Dunkin' Donuts in new markets, including Beijing, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

The first restaurant is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2015.

There are now more than 11,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in 36 countries around the world.

(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by James Dalgleish)

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Leadership

10 Wild and Unruly Ways to Make Every Day International Women's Day

To celebrate International Women's Day, this article challenges readers with 10 ways they can participate in building the new ecosystem — the queendom — in entrepreneurship and venture capital.

Business News

A Defense Startup With Billions in Contracts Launched a Recruiting Campaign Warning People Not to Work There

Anduril Industries is going viral for its "don't work at Anduril" recruiting campaign.

Starting a Business

The Startup World Glamorizes Young Founders, But These 4 Women Started Businesses After Age 40 — Leading to Hundreds of Millions of Dollars. Here's How.

These women entrepreneurs, now in their 50s, share why growing their businesses at this stage in life is better than ever.

Fundraising

The Surprising Way AI is Making Investor Pitches Impossible to Ignore

A game-changing tool to secure startup or grant funding.