Dunkin' Donuts to change hands

French beverage company Pernod Ricard SA agreed to sell Dunkin' Brands to Thomas H. Lee Partners, the Carlyle Group and Bain Capital four days after bidding closed in an auction for the U.S. fast food company - owner of the Dunkin' Donuts chain, Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlors and Togo's sandwich stores.

[ Forbes ]

Interesting, but how does that affect me?

Washington, D.C.-based Carlyle, with $35 billion under management, is the largest of the three successful joint bidders.

Ah. But still, what does that mean? More Dunkin' Donuts? Better Dunkin' Donuts? I've made no secret of my preference of Dunkin' over Krispy Kreme. KK may have the best yeast raised, glased doughnut around, but DD makes up for that in sheer variety.

I've felt for years that DD has seemed to go a bit downhill (at least in the DC area), and certainly the number of locations has shrunk (as apposed to the KK mini-factories). I hope this helps turn around DD as a brand. As for the other 2 major holdings of DD? Baskin Robins and Togos? I'm more of a Ben & Jerry's or Häagen-Dazs kind of guy, and I've never eaten at Togos...