Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc., the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts (DD) and Baskin-Robbins (BR), reported results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2013. Dunkin' Donuts U.S. comparable store sales grew 1.7 percent. The company added 108 net new restaurants worldwide including 78 net new Dunkin' Donuts in the U.S. The adjusted operating income increased 12.2 percent and the adjusted operating income margin expanded 240 basis points to 43.7 percent. Additionally, the adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased 16.0 percent to $0.29.
"Our business is strong, and we remain confident with our full-year financial targets for 2013, despite the significant impact weather had on both Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins in the U.S. during the first quarter," said Nigel Travis, chief executive officer, Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc., in a prepared statement. "Our U.S. restaurant operations have never been better, and our guest satisfaction survey results are the highest in recent brand history. We're encouraged by our momentum as we enter the second quarter and look forward to the start of key warmer weather selling seasons for both of our brands."
"As a result of our focus on franchisee profitability, demand for the Dunkin' Donuts brand remains extremely high, as evidenced by the 78 net new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants added in the U.S. since the beginning of January, the highest number of openings during this period for the past five years," said Paul Carbone, Dunkin' Brands chief financial officer. "Expanding the Dunkin' Donuts brand across the U.S. is the engine for Dunkin' Brands growth in both the near- and long-term, and we look forward to sharing details on the highly attractive franchisee returns of the restaurants opened in 2012 at our upcoming Investor & Analyst Day."
