Jubilant FoodWorks may transfer Dunkin’ India rights to Inspire Brands

The development comes as Jubilant FoodWorks has already decided not to renew its franchise agreement with Dunkin’, which is set to expire on 31 December 2026

by e4m Staff
Published: Apr 24, 2026 2:05 PM | 2 min read

Jubilant FoodWorks is negotiating to transfer Dunkin' franchise rights in India back to its parent company, Inspire Brands, due to years of underperformance in the market.
The franchise agreement, which has been in place for 15 years, will not be renewed and is set to expire on December 31, 2026.
Dunkin' contributed only 0.61% to Jubilant's revenue in FY25 and has been operating around 27 outlets in India, with several closures over the past year.
Inspire Brands, which acquired Dunkin' globally in 2020, will determine the future of Dunkin' in India following the rights transfer, facing challenges related to local consumer preferences and competition.

As per media reports, Jubilant FoodWorks is in discussions to transfer the India franchise rights of Dunkin’ to its US-based parent company, Inspire Brands. Jubilant’s decision to exit the Dunkin’ business follows years of underperformance in the Indian market.

The development comes as Jubilant has already decided not to renew its franchise agreement with Dunkin’, which is set to expire on December 31, 2026, bringing an end to a partnership that began 15 years ago.

The brand contributed a small fraction to the company’s overall revenue, around 0.61% in FY25 while also reporting losses, making it a less viable part of Jubilant’s portfolio. As of December 2025, the company operated around 27 Dunkin’ outlets in India and had already shut several stores over the past year.

The move is also aligned with Jubilant’s broader strategy to focus on higher-performing brands within its portfolio. The company operates Domino’s Pizza as its core business and has been expanding newer ventures like Popeyes, which have shown stronger growth potential in the Indian market.

Reportedly, the transition is expected to take place in phases leading up to the end of 2026.

What lies ahead for Dunkin’ in India

The US-based company, Inspire Brand, acquired Dunkin’ globally in 2020 and if the transfer of rights goes through, Inspire Brands is expected to decide the next phase of Dunkin’s presence in India, either by managing operations directly or onboarding a new local partner.

The move highlights the ongoing challenges global food chains face in adapting to India’s market dynamics, where consumer preferences, pricing sensitivity and competition play a critical role in long-term success.