Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins’ sales are improving in the United States, according to parent company Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday, the company said Dunkin’ sales improved for the first three weeks in May. For the week ended May 23, same-store sales were down by 15% compared to the same week last year. That’s an improvement over the 25% decline reported for the week ended April 25.
Those numbers represent those restaurants that are still open for takeout and delivery. Around 650 of the chain’s 9,637 domestic locations remained closed. Including those closed locations, comp sales would be down by about 15.3%, Dunkin’ Brands said in the filing.
Sales were particularly robust between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., which are up by more than 10% compared with last year.
Dunkin’ had reported earlier that the midday daypart was a bright spot for the chain, which had seen a marked decline in breakfast sales as many of its customers have been working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other bright spots are increased sales through the chain’s app, use of which has increased weekly as the chain continues to offer local and national incentives to join or reactivate their rewards program membership. Delivery and curbside pickup sales also are increasing.
Baskin-Robbins’ sales have returned to 2019 levels, according to the filing, which said comp sales for the week ending May 23 “were approximately flat,” not including the 110 out of roughly 2,500 domestic units that are closed.
They were down by 10% compared to a year ago for the week ending April 25.
Although many jurisdictions are allowing restaurants to open for on-premise dining, Dunkin’ Brands is holding back for now.
“We are monitoring the COVID-19 situations in each state and locality and are judiciously working towards re-opening restaurant dining areas where and when appropriate, with safety precautions in place and in accordance with applicable governmental regulations and guidance,” it said in the filing. “During this process, we are continuing to act with the safety of our guests, franchisees, and their crew members as our top priority.”
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