Just when you thought that Dunkin’ Donuts had already saturated the Northeast with caffeinated products, a new opportunity presents itself.
BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. said it will do away with many of its in-store food courts, replacing them with Dunkin’ Donuts kiosks or shops.
BJ’s chief executive Christopher Baldwin said Thursday that it seemed like a natural collaboration for two Massachusetts-headquartered companies, which are located just 25 miles apart.
“We thought a partnership worked for everyone involved,” Baldwin said.
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The exact number of BJ’s Dunkins has not been disclosed. But the first two will be located at BJ’s warehouses in Kearney, New Jersey and Northborough, Mass within the next few months, said Michelle King, a spokeswoman for Dunkin’ Brands.
“Other locations will likely open prior to the holiday season,” she added.
Baldwin is no stranger to the Dunkin’ brand or its chief executive, Nigel Travis.
Baldwin, a former executive at Proctor & Gamble, the Hershey Company, and Nabisco, and Travis, a former executive at Blockbuster, Burger King and Papa John’s became acquainted during Baldwin’s tenure as chief executive officer at Hess Retail Corp. The gas station chain was also home to many a Dunkin Donuts shop, Baldwin said.
In recent years, Canton-based Dunkin’ Donuts has successfully expanded beyond coffee and donuts into light fare and breakfast sandwiches, company officials have said.
Out of more than 200 BJs locations, the Westborough-based chain has 183 in the eastern U.S. with food courts.
Date: July 15, 2016