BASKIN-ROBBINS AND GALADARI REACH GROWTH MILESTONE WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE BRAND’S 650th STORE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Nigel Travis, Chairman and CEO of Dunkin’ Brands, parent company of Baskin-Robbins, Abdulla Al Shaibani, Chairman of Galadari Brothers and Khaled Soliman, Group CEO of Galadari Brothers, were on hand to mark the unprecedented growth of the largest quick service restaurant brand in the region

Dubai, 26th June 2013 – Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, today opened the doors to its latest outlet in Ibn Battuta Mall, bringing the grand total of the brand’s ice cream speciality shops to 650 in the Middle East.

Under the joint partnership with Dunkin’ Brands International, the parent company of Baskin-Robbins, and Galadari Ice Cream Co. LLC (GICC), the new store marks the highlight of 34 years of Baskin-Robbins in the UAE. Having introduced the Middle East to the Baskin-Robbins brand back in 1979 with its first store in Satwa, Baskin-Robbins today sells over 40,000 scoops of ice cream per day to sweet tooth consumers in the UAE.

Commenting at the official store opening, Nigel Travis, Chairman and CEO of Dunkin’ Brands, stated: “Since opening the first Baskin-Robbins restaurant in the UAE back in 1979, Dunkin’ Brands International has seen phenomenal growth in the UAE and wider Middle East region. Today’s 650th store opening is testament to the enduring appeal of the brand that has succeeded in putting the fun back into the ice cream business. Our offering is unique in the market in terms of the quality and diversity of our products, with more than 1,300 flavours in our extensive flavour library, and this has ensured that our consumers return time and time again.

“The Middle East is one of our largest global markets and remains pivotal to the overall growth strategy for Dunkin’ Brands International. Consequently, we strive to provide an even greater ice cream speciality experience to our loyal customers in the Middle East, and in Galadari Brothers we have a partner that shares our vision and ambitions for the brand.”

Baskin-Robbins has formed an integral part of the Galadari Brothers business portfolio over the last three decades and is among its most successful brands, with more than 3 million Baskin-Robbins ice cream scoops sold in the UAE per year, representing 69% of the UAE ice cream market share (source: Euromonitor).

“Since the beginning of our partnership with Dunkin’ Brands International in 1979, we have worked together to introduce world-class brands to Middle East consumers. This has helped to change the face of the food and beverage offering in the region. Today Middle East consumers have more choices than ever before on how they spend their leisure time with friends and family, and brands such as Baskin-Robbins are at the heart of this choice,” said Abdulla Al Shaibani, Chairman of Galadari Brothers.

“As the long-term Baskin-Robbins partner and licensee, we are extremely proud to reach the 650th store milestone for the Middle East with Dunkin’ Brands International,” said Khaled Soliman, Group CEO of Galadari Brothers. “We are delighted that the region has embraced the brand and we look forward to bringing even more delicious Baskin-Robbins ice cream flavours to consumers across the Middle East,” Soliman added.

Commenting on the store launch, Ali Habash, Director of Retail Leasing and Marketing at Nahkeel, said: “It is a great honour to bring such a fun and exciting brand like Baskin-Robbins to Ibn Battuta Mall and to extend our confectionary portfolio even further. Located close to our 21 screen cinema, it is the perfect location for our shoppers and cinema-goers to experience the Baskin-Robbins brand. The new store is a great addition to our current food and beverage outlets in China Court, and will further make Ibn Battuta Mall an even more popular leisure destination in Dubai.”

Living up to its fun reputation, Baskin-Robbins chose to mark the 650th store launch by giving away free ice cream scoops to shoppers and passers-by from the store’s 31 different flavours including the new flavour of the month Cotton Candy Wonderland and the newly launched FRUZINO blended beverage.

To learn more about Baskin-Robbins and its unique flavor combinations and innovations, please visit the Baskin-Robbins Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BaskinRobbinsGulf or follow Baskin-Robbins on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BaskinRobbins.

PHOTO CAPTION: Baskin-Robbins officially launched its 650th store in the Middle East with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Nigel Travis, Chairman and CEO of Dunkin Brands, Abdulla Al Shaibani, Chairman of Galadari Brothers and Khaled Soliman, Group CEO of Galadari Brothers.

From left to right: Nigel Travis, Chairman and CEO of Dunkin Brands and Abdulla Al Shaibani, Chairman of Galadari Brothers and Khaled Soliman, Group CEO of Galadari Brothers and Ali Habash, Director of Retail Leasing and Marketing at Nahkeel.