Dunkin’ CEO Upbeat on Economy, China Expansion and Opening in Mexico

Dunkin’ Brands CEO Nigel Travis says the company is ‘feeling a little bit better about the economy’ and says he hopes the chain can beat 2015 guidance after a challenging year in 2014. Travis says the owner of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins, found that while traffic into the stores was positive, customers weren’t spending as much per visit. Travis says that’s beginning to change. While the chain expects to open between 410 and 440 new outlets here in the U.S., Travis says Wall Street hasn’t focused enough on the brand’s performance overseas. He says issues in Korea and Japan are overshadowing wins in Europe and the Middle East. Just last week, Dunkin’ inked the largest franchise deal in the company’s 65-year history in China. The agreement will add 1,400 stores over the next few years. Dunkin’, which already has more than a dozen outlets in China through another partner, says the Chinese customer is more likely to visit in the afternoon. Travis says getting U.S. consumers to visit more often in the afternoon is an opportunity and priority for 2015. Apart from China, he says Dunkin’ will also open outlets in Mexico and Brazil later this year. TheStreet’s Ruben Ramirez reports from Orlando.