Dunkin’ in Talks to Go Private With Sale to Arby’s Owner Inspire Brands | Eater

"A Massachusetts-born coffee-and-donut chain whose parent company is reportedly being pursued by a larger restaurant group in a deal valued at about $106.50 per share (roughly $8.8 billion), which would take the company private again and return it to private-equity ownership after its 2012 exit. The chain suffered an early pandemic downturn and closed around 800 stores, but has since rebounded largely due to its widespread drive-thrus and strong online-ordering capabilities. It also boosted its cultural relevance with younger customers through a high-profile partnership with TikTok star Charli D’Amelio — her eponymous drink drew significant traffic — and, according to one analyst, its business currently appears healthier than many of the other chains recently acquired by the prospective buyer." - Jenny G. Zhang