Bill Rosenberg noticed that factory and construction workers buying from his catering trucks mostly wanted coffee and donuts, so in 1948 he opened Open Kettle in Quincy, Massachusetts, and renamed it Dunkin’ Donuts in 1950. A logo followed in 1953, the mascot Dunkie in 1954, and franchising in 1955. Johnny Spartos pushed for a donut with a handle so workers could dunk without greasy fingers, but it had to be hand cut and was discontinued in 2003 outside a Singapore holdout. In 1963 Bob Rosenberg took over at 25, cut the parent company’s other businesses, standardized the menu, and later swapped ceramic mugs for paper cups and self-service.

Fred the Baker, played by Michael Vale for 16 years from 1981, sold the brand as unpretentious, and 2006 ads mocked coffee chain jargon as Fritalian. As donut sales slowed and beverage margins rose, the chain became simply Dunkin’ in 2018 and 2019, and Inspire Brands bought it for $11.3 billion in October 2020. International growth has been uneven: over 14,200 locations in 39 countries, alongside exits and controversies abroad.

• Styrofoam cups were phased out globally by 2020, requiring redesigned lids and new supplier contracts.
• In early 2025 Dunkin’ dropped upcharges for oat and almond milk.
• Ben Affleck’s DunKings Super Bowl ads in 2023 and 2024 put his own drink order on the menu.
• Tim Hortons pushed Dunkin’ out of Canada by 2018, and a May 2026 deal with Foodtastic aims for a comeback.
• A 1996 Tel Aviv launch sold three million donuts in eight months before debt and the Second Intifada closed it by 2001.