Is Shanghai Dunkin' All Over Beijing?

Jonathan White | Mar 7, 2012 4:00 pm | 10 comments | 4792 reads

The recent news that Dunkin' LeBron James and Dunkin' Donuts have joined forces to bring sweet fried buns to 100 more locations across China got us thinking. Surprisingly, our thoughts have not focused on their plan to dominate using pork floss donuts. We kind of expected that. No, it got us thinking about us living in the capital but getting a raw deal when it comes to brands hitting up these shores.

Shanghai already has 15 Dunkin' Donuts stores (we have none), four Marks & Spencer (we have none) and a Krispy Kreme (again, we have none). As sickening as it is that Shanghai gets a finer range of pastries and pants, there is worse news.

There are already 11 cities in China that are proud hosts of a Dunkin’ Donuts. These cities include Shenyang and Xi’an. Meanwhile, recent news that Marks & Spencer’s expansion plans will make Wuhan their sixth China location (after Shanghai and Ningbo). It's enough to make your blood boil. Take a deep breath. Oh, hang on ...

I'll leave you with the good news that Shanghai sandwich emporium Wagas is opening up in Sanlitun Village. It's "coming soon." Then again, according to reputable sources, Marks & Spencer was "actively seeking spaces for lease" in Beijing last summer.

Let us know what you think we're missing here in Beijing by leaving a comment below.

Photo: Business Insider

Comments

New comments are displayed first.

Comments

Porter's picture Porter Submitted by Guest on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 05:28

Lol, you got to hand it to the marketing people at Dunkin Donuts. They probably told James he was the like an American Idol here. Chinese moms are NOT going to buy donuts for their kids. Did anyone here ever try one of those "Chinese cupcakes" or sweet buns? YUCK! Put all together the red bean paste and pork topping won't win customers for 8 plus kuai a donut. Toulesjours has it covered here because at least you can buy a coffee and a strange pastry and sit for hours in the store doing...? as if Mr. James ever eats donuts anyways. That man was brought up on collard greens, jojo, hammocks, and fried chicken. The Chinese love all these things.

Chloe55's picture Chloe55 Submitted by Guest on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 19:59

Noticed such phenomenon and thought about it for a while,it is interesting.if you say because of different food taste,maybe,northern people do not like sweet that much,look at Haagen-Dazs，you never saw a queue for it in BJ but you always encountered such a queue in SH.However if take ManJi Sweet as a example, it operated pretty well in BJ.I guess cost to operate a shop in BJ is much expensive in SH and the number of real middle class people are less in BJ compare to SH.Higher cost plus less regular affordable customers raises up BJ market entry barrier.

chloe ZH Freelance Writer. hzhang5@gmail.com

Americanholyfries's picture Americanholyfries Submitted by Guest on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 17:23

All I can see is another big named athlete penniless at less than 40! There s a reson why donuts don't do well in Beijing. They just don't like sweet things...much. Yes, you can sell a few but never enough to cover Beijing's huge rent and overhead costs. So if you want to buy 100 % certified Kosher, imported donut (mix) and imported frying oil from Lil orbit, direct from the USA, you can find them in our shops..... Selling slowly... Good look LeBron, your gonna need it!

Experience real American foods. Don't forget to order your birthday cake here. 18210069261

badr's picture badr Submitted by Guest on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 17:16

F&B businesses seem more at ease in Shanghai than Beijing. The regulations are easier to navigate as far as I understand.

Burger King had a good dozen branches down south before their airport branch opened out here.

H&M did the same...

Validate your mobile phone number to post comments.