---
title: "Dunkin’ is returning to Canada for the first time since 2018"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/2c7c4120-b715-4740-9b45-c25a3d75183d
source: "Nation's Restaurant News"
original_url: https://www.nrn.com/restaurant-franchising/dunkin-is-returning-to-canada-for-the-first-time-since-2018
author: "Jonathan Maze"
category: "Coffee & tea"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Coffee & tea"
published: 2026-05-12T16:23:03.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T13:17:09.351Z
image: https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltea7aee2fca050a19/bltf13cef10d8d42d71/6a035484f4a74a59af51e030/Dunkin_company_exterior.jpg?width=1280&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale
---

# Dunkin’ is returning to Canada for the first time since 2018

**TL;DR:** Dunkin' is returning to Canada through a partnership with Foodtastic to develop hundreds of locations, after exiting the market in 2018. The deal is part of Dunkin's international growth strategy, which is crucial for its parent company Inspire Brands' planned initial public offering.

*By Jonathan Maze, originally published in Nation's Restaurant News on 2026-05-12. [Read the original](https://www.nrn.com/restaurant-franchising/dunkin-is-returning-to-canada-for-the-first-time-since-2018).*

## Story

Dunkin’ is taking another shot at Tim Hortons’ home turf.

The Inspire Brands-owned coffee chain on Tuesday said it has inked a deal with Freshii owner Foodtastic to open “hundreds” of locations throughout the country.

In the process, Dunkin’ will open locations in Canada after exiting the market in 2018.

“Dunkin’s international footprint continues to thrive, so we are excited to bring this iconic brand to Canada through a strong, like-minded partner,” Michael Haley, president of international with the Atlanta-based Inspire, said in a statement.

Haley said that Footastic “has a proven track record of successfully growing leading restaurant brands” and highlighted the operator’s success with Jimmy John’s, the Inspire-owned sandwich chain.

“We value their shared commitment, operational expertise and long-term vision they bring to this partnership,” Haley said.

Foodtastic operates 27 different brands and more than 1,200 locations in Canada.

It will be taking on one of the biggest restaurant chains in the U.S. in Dunkin’, which operates more than 10,000 domestic locations and more than 14,000 worldwide.

Canada has proven to be a frustrating market for Dunkin’, which at one point operated hundreds of locations in the country. But the company for years struggled with legal disputes with franchisees as well as the dominance of the Toronto-based Tim Hortons, which operates about 3,900 locations there.

It ultimately exited the market in 2018.

But international growth will be crucial for Dunkin’, particularly as parent Inspire Brands plans an initial public offering some time this year. Dunkin’ is Inspire’s largest holding.

Yet its growth has been slow of late. Dunkin’s location count outside the U.S. declined by 2% in 2025, according to data from Restaurant Business sibling company Technomic.

The deal does give Foodtastic a major brand while strengthening its relationship with Inspire.

“Bringing Dunkin’ back to Canada is a significant growth opportunity for Foodtastic and our franchise partners across the country,” Peter Mammas, Foodtastic’s founder, said in a statement. “This agreement demonstrates the strength of our relationship with Inspire Brands and the confidence we have built together through our work with Jimmy John’s in Canada.”

## Entities

- QSR (sector)
- Nation's Restaurant News (publication)
- Dunkin' Brands (company)
- canada (location)
- Inspire Brands (company)
- Tim Hortons (company)
- international growth (topic)
- Jonathan Maze (person)
- qsr market (topic)
- Foodtastic (company)
- Michael Haley (person)
- Inspire Brands acquisition of Dunkin' Brands (deal)

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Originally reported by Jonathan Maze, Nation's Restaurant News (https://www.nrn.com/restaurant-franchising/dunkin-is-returning-to-canada-for-the-first-time-since-2018). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/2c7c4120-b715-4740-9b45-c25a3d75183d).