Stop & Shop Drops Dunkin’ Shops

The Patriot Ledger:

Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. will replace Dunkin’ Donuts outlets with Starbucks counters in as many as 130 stores next year, according to a franchisee group.

The decision comes as Stop & Shop and Starbucks negotiate a settlement in a federal lawsuit that Stop & Shop filed in June after Starbucks threatened to abruptly close all 90 of its shops in the Quincy supermarket chain’s stores.

Now, according to a Dunkin’ franchise group, Stop & Shop has decided to not renew an agreement for Dunkin’ shops in 130 other stores so they can be replaced with Starbucks shops. Dunkin’ Brands Inc. has a master agreement in place until next year for the supermarket spaces, which it franchised to local Dunkin’ franchisees.

Mark Dubinsky, president of the Dunkin’ Donuts Independent Franchise Owners Association, said no explanation has been given for Stop & Shop’s decision to switch coffee partners.

“It’s kind of mysterious. It’s a negotiation between Dunkin’ corporate and Stop & Shop,” Dubinsky said.