Krispy Kreme, Panera company could be looking to buy Dunkin' Donuts

BOSTON — Speculation that Dunkin' Donuts could be purchased by Krispy Kreme's parent company sent the Canton company's stock soaring 8 percent higher this week, according to Bloomberg.

The business publication reported Tuesday morning Luxembourg-based JAB Holdings, which owns Panera Bread, Peet’s Coffee and Krispy Kreme, could be looking to buy out Dunkin’ Brands.

A buyout of the coffee-and-donut chain would help JAB take over even more of the coffee market not owned by Starbucks.

Bloomberg reports Dunkin’ Brands, which includes Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins, is valued around $8.2 Billion. It would be JAB’s second priciest acquisition in the past 19 months, behind Keurig Green Mountain.

According to Bloomberg's Gillian Tan, Dunkin’s costly upgrades to its digital ordering could be something JAB would be prepared to tackle, having already acquired Panera Bread and that chain’s lavish digital ordering system.

There hasn't been any evidence of a deal, but the speculation is buzzing.

Read more here.

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Cox Media Group