Dunkin’s Netherlands and Belgium franchise files for bankruptcy

Dunkin’ plans to keep its 50 stores in the Netherlands open | Photo credit: Glenov Brankovic

The operator of US coffee chain Dunkin’ in the Netherlands and Belgium has filed for bankruptcy. 
 

Joint owner Roberto Fava confirmed the news to ANP with the coffee chain’s lawyer Derk van Geel telling the Dutch news agency that Dunkin’ plans to keep its 50 stores in the Netherlands open while exploring ‘how we can continue with the company in the best possible way’. However, the future of the chain’s 18 stores in Belgium remains uncertain.  
 

The bankruptcy filing comes 12 months after the Dunkin’ Netherlands and Belgium franchise sold a majority stake to Dutch hospitality group Van der Valk International (VDVI), with Fava maintaining a minority stake and control of day-to-day operations. 

At the time, VDVI said it planned to open 60 new outlets across the Netherlands and Belgium by the end of 2028, including within or adjacent to its 10 Van der Valk hotels in the two markets.
 

Dunkin’ Netherlands and Belgium did commence outlet expansion in the six months following the deal, including sites at Van der Valk hotels in Hoorn, Ridderkerk and Tiel. However, it has since shuttered at least 20 stores across the two markets. 

Inspire Brands-owned Dunkin’ has more than 13,700 outlets in 40 markets globally, including 10 European countries. 

The Massachusetts-based coffee chain debuted in the Netherlands in the 1997 and opened four stores before exiting the market three years later. Fava then relaunched the coffee chain in March 2017 with an outlet in Amsterdam before expanding to Belgium in 2020.