Norway finally seems to be attracting more international franchises and fast-food, for better or worse. The latest to announce its entry into Norway is Dunkin’ Donuts, the American doughnut shop that seems intent on modeling itself more like a coffee shop than the proverbial greasy spoon.
Grease is, unavoidably, a key element behind the venerable producer of glazed-, sugar-coated- and various other types of doughnuts. Sixty-five years after its founding in Quincy, Massachusetts, Dunkin’ Donuts has also diversified into bagels, breakfast sandwiches and other baked goods, and now has more than 10,000 shops worldwide in the US and more than 30 other countries.
The company confirmed to Oslo newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN) on Monday that it now hopes to open as many as 30 shops in Norway within the next five to seven years. DN reported that Dunkin’ Donuts is looking for a partner to help it find attractive locations.
The mostly franchise operation is also willing to modify its shops to suit Norwegian tastes and habits. “Norway has a major coffee culture and a consumption pattern that will be important for us,” Jeremy Vitaro, vice president in the international division of Dunkin’ Brands, told DN. “Our impression is that Norwegians like to spend time in a café, and that the social side of it is more important than in other countries.
Starbucks didn’t come to Norway until 2012, while McDonald’s and Burger King arrived in the 1980s. TGI Fridays also has a large presence in Oslo now. Espresso House of Sweden is expanding in Norway, Wayne’s Coffee is well-established and there are several local coffee shop chains including Kaffebrenneriet. Dunkin’ Donuts has recently opened shops in Denmark and Sweden and hopes to open its first shop in Norway sometime next year.
newsinenglish.no staff
