A year after announcing its greater China expansion strategy and entry into Taiwan, Dunkin’ Donuts today announced plans to open its first shops in Shanghai. The first shop is scheduled to open this spring, with a total of 100 new shops planned over the next 10 years.

The company recently granted the franchise rights for Shanghai, and provinces of Jiangsu, Zhijiang in the People’s Republic of China to Mercuries & Associates, which is the franchise partner for Taiwan. Mercuries opened its first Dunkin’ Donuts shop in Taiwan in January 2007 and currently operates 10 shops there. Mercuries, one of the largest companies in Taiwan, brings 25 years of retail experience operating multiple consumer brands in the region.

Located in prime real estate areas in Taipei, Dunkin’ Donuts has experienced strong growth in its first year of operation there. The brand will continue to expand in 2008 with an additional 10 stores planned. Dunkin’ Donuts has fast become a local favorite with more than 50 varieties of donuts, and Dunkin’ Original coffee and espresso products becoming routine for customers.
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The shops in mainland China will offer a complete menu of Dunkin’ Donuts internationally recognized coffee, espresso, teas and frozen beverages, along with a wide variety of doughnuts, bagels, and baked goods. The shop will also serve items customized to suit local taste preferences such as green tea and honeydew melon doughnuts, as well as mochi rings, which are similar to cake doughnuts but made with rice flour indigenous to the region.