When Is Dunkin’ Opening in Canada?
Short answer: the first Canadian Dunkin’ is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027, in Toronto or Montreal, operated by Foodtastic under a master franchise agreement with Inspire Brands.
Dunkin’ has been absent from Canada since 2018. In May 2026 that changed: Montreal-based Foodtastic signed a master franchise agreement with Inspire Brands covering the entire Canadian market, with a stated target of 600 to 700 locations.
The Confirmed Timeline
| Milestone | Timing | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Master franchise agreement signed | May 2026 | Confirmed |
| First store opening | Late 2026 – early 2027 | Announced by operator |
| Launch cities | Toronto, Montreal | Announced |
| Sustained rollout begins | Within 12 months of first opening | Stated target |
| ~1 new store per week | From roughly mid-2027 | Stated target |
| 600–700 locations nationally | No completion date given | Long-term target |
| ~200 Quebec locations | No completion date given | Long-term target |
Why Dunkin’ Left in the First Place
Dunkin’ operated in Canada from 1961 and peaked in the 1990s with more than 200 locations, the bulk of them in Quebec. The collapse that followed was not a demand problem. Tim Hortons expanded aggressively through the 1990s and 2000s while Dunkin’ franchisees in Quebec argued the parent company was failing to invest in store standards, marketing and product.
In 2012 a Quebec court agreed, awarding damages to a group of franchisees who had sued over the brand’s deterioration. By 2018 the last Canadian location had closed.
Why It Is Coming Back Now
Three things changed. Inspire Brands acquired Dunkin’ in 2020 and has been pushing international expansion since. The Canadian coffee market has become less of a one-horse race, with Starbucks, independent cafes and McCafé all holding meaningful share. And Foodtastic has built the kind of Canadian franchise infrastructure that the brand lacked the first time around.
Foodtastic operates Milano Pizzeria, Second Cup, Copper Branch, Quesada and La Belle et La Boeuf, among others. Second Cup in particular gives the group direct coffee-retail experience in the Canadian market.
What the First Stores Will Look Like
Foodtastic has confirmed the menu will include hot and iced coffees, espresso drinks, teas, donuts, sandwiches and snacks. That is essentially the full US core menu.
Expect the newer store format Dunkin’ has been rolling out in the US: heavier drive-thru emphasis, tap systems for cold brew, mobile order pickup shelves and a smaller seating footprint than a traditional cafe. Dunkin’s US model runs on speed and throughput rather than dwell time, and that is what will be exported.
What Has Not Been Announced
| Unknown | Status |
|---|---|
| Specific store addresses | Not published |
| Canadian menu prices | Not published |
| Canadian rewards programme | Not announced |
| French-language branding in Quebec | Not announced |
| Delivery partnerships | Not announced |
| Whether the full US menu carries over | Partially confirmed only |
How This Compares to Other Chain Returns
For context on the timeline: chains re-entering a market typically take 12 to 24 months from franchise agreement to first store, covering site selection, permits, supply chain build-out and staff training. A first opening roughly 8 to 18 months after the May 2026 announcement is a normal pace, not an aggressive one.
The stated target of one store per week thereafter is aggressive. For comparison, that pace would put Canada past 100 locations within about two years of launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly is the first Dunkin’ opening in Canada?
No firm date has been published. Foodtastic has said late 2026 or early 2027. Watch for a formal announcement roughly two to three months ahead of the first opening.
Which city gets the first store?
Toronto and Montreal have both been named. Foodtastic has not said which opens first, though its Montreal headquarters and Quebec franchise base make Montreal a reasonable bet.
Why did Dunkin’ leave Canada?
A combination of aggressive Tim Hortons expansion and underinvestment in the Canadian franchise network. A 2012 Quebec court ruling found for franchisees who sued over the brand’s decline. The last store closed in 2018.
Is this the same Dunkin’ as before?
Same brand, different owner and different Canadian operator. Inspire Brands bought Dunkin’ in 2020, and Foodtastic is the new Canadian master franchisee.
Will Dunkin’ compete with Tim Hortons?
Directly. Both sell coffee and donuts at similar price points to the same morning commuter market. Dunkin’ brews noticeably stronger coffee and carries a deeper espresso menu, which is where it will likely try to differentiate.
How many Dunkin’ stores will open in Canada?
The stated target is 600 to 700 nationally, with roughly 200 in Quebec. No completion date has been attached to that number.
Track confirmed locations → | Dunkin’ vs Tim Hortons → | Expected Canadian menu →
Independent menu guide. Not affiliated with Dunkin’ Brands, Inspire Brands or Foodtastic. Canadian pricing is not yet announced; CAD figures are conversion estimates.