CANTON, Mass., U.S. — Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc., the parent company of Dunkin’ (DD) and Baskin-Robbins (BR), announced today that John Varughese has been promoted to Senior Vice President, International with responsibility for all aspects of Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ business units outside the U.S.
Mr. Varughese will report directly to Dave Hoffmann, Dunkin’ Brands CEO and Dunkin’ U.S. President, and will serve on the Company’s leadership team. He replaces Nigel Travis, Dunkin’ Brands Chairman, who served as interim head of International for the past nine months. Mr. Travis will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
A veteran Dunkin’ Brands executive, Mr. Varughese has been with the Company for 16 years, all of it working with the Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ international business units. Prior to joining Dunkin’ Brands, he worked for seven years with the Galadari Ice Cream Company in the Middle East, one of the largest Baskin-Robbins international licensees. Mr. Varughese began his career in international sales with Smith Kline Beecham Consumer Brands.
“John is a seasoned international retail executive with a deep understanding of both the Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ brands and the countries we serve,” said Dave Hoffmann. “His appointment as the head of our international business enables us to seamlessly continue our support of franchisees and licensees and strategically grow our two brands outside the U.S.”
Under Mr. Varughese’s leadership, both brands have recently launched new store concepts, with new coffee-forward Dunkin’ restaurants now in ten countries with over 150 locations. He has also greatly expanded the number of licensed Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ products offered in retail outlets and dramatically increased the home delivery business for both brands. Home delivery of Baskin-Robbins or Dunkin’ products is now available in more than 30 countries.
Mr. Varughese has a bachelor’s degree in commerce, a master’s degree in commerce and an M.B.A. in marketing.
