Canton, MA - Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, has added significant new star power to fuel its expansion in Dallas, welcoming Dallas Cowboys Football Club Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman as the brand’s newest franchise partners. As part of a limited partnership between Dunkin’ Donuts, the Jones Family and Aikman, the group plans to open at least 50 new Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth region over the next five years.

“We have a lot of greats to be proud of here in North Texas,” said Jerry Jones. “Great people, great sports teams and great traditions, which is why I am excited about being a part of bringing great coffee, iced tea and baked goods from Dunkin’ Donuts to the area.”

“In traveling around the country on business, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy Dunkin’ Donuts coffee in many other cities,” said Troy Aikman, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current FOX Network broadcaster. “I’m excited to now be a part of bringing this same outstanding experience to everyone here in Dallas and Fort Worth.”

“We are honored at the opportunity to grow our presence in the Metroplex through a partnership with Jerry Jones - one of the country’s most admired businessmen and a leading presence in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and Troy Aikman - one of the NFL’s all-time great leaders on and off the football field,” said Nigel Travis, Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. CEO. “We look forward to making America’s favorite coffee, as well as our delicious baked goods and food products, available to a growing number of customers in this area by teaming up with these outstanding franchise partners.”

Under the agreement, Dunkin’ Donuts, the Jones Family and Aikman will share ownership of the new Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants and 11 of the 19 existing locations. Together, Dunkin’ Donuts, the Jones Family and Aikman will be jointly responsible for strategic planning, expansion and marketing, with Dunkin’ Donuts responsible for the operations of the restaurants.

In 2009 Dunkin’ Donuts entered into a partnership with the Dallas Cowboys Football Club as the official coffee for the team. Since then, “America’s Team” has run on Dunkin’, with Dunkin’ Donuts pouring stations located strategically throughout Cowboys Stadium, serving “America’s Favorite Coffee” both hot and iced, hot chocolate and iced tea during Cowboys home games, college football games, concerts and other stadium events. Dunkin’ Donuts signage appears within the stadium and advertising is shown during events on the LED ribbon board and video board.

Dunkin’ Donuts has a long and proud history of partnerships within the sporting industry. Dunkin’ Donuts is the official coffee provider for many professional teams, including the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, New York Mets, New York Giants, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Capitals.

The expansion of Dunkin’ Donuts in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is part of the Company’s goal to more than double its current footprint of 7,000 restaurants in the United States over the next 20 years.

According to The NPD Group / CREST®, Dunkin’ Donuts serves the most hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee in America. Additionally, Dunkin’ Donuts was ranked number one in customer loyalty in the coffee category for the sixth consecutive year by the 2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. Dunkin’ Donuts recently announced that the company is recruiting franchisees for the markets of Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Houston and Waco, Texas; Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; as well as Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Company expects that restaurants in these new markets will begin to open in early 2013.