CANTON, MA - Dunkin?? Donuts announced earlier this week that it is expanding its footprint to Southern California. The expansion is part of the company??s broader goal of having more than 15,000 restaurants in the United States.

The doughnut QSR is now recruiting multi-unit franchisees for Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Ventura and Orange counties and projects openings in those markets to begin in 2015. The company is also seeking foodservice operators for a range of non-traditional venues including colleges and universities, casinos, military bases, supermarkets, airports and travel centers.

Dunkin?? Donuts announced that it had opened 291 net new location in the United States last year, a growth rate of 4%. It plans to open up to 360 net new restaurants this year, representing an increase of 4.5% to 5%.

"This past year was an exciting one for Dunkin' Donuts' growth in the United States, and we are delighted to begin 2013 with the long-awaited announcement that Dunkin' Donuts will be opening restaurants in California, where there is already incredible passion for our brand," said Nigel Travis, CEO, Dunkin' Brands and president, Dunkin' Donuts U.S. "Expansion to California has always been part of our plan to grow Dunkin' Donuts' presence in the U.S.

"In addition to California, we believe we have incredible domestic growth opportunities for Dunkin' Donuts, both east and west of the Mississippi. On a global basis, we remain committed to our long-term development goal, which calls for us to accelerate to approximately a 5% net new annual development rate for Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins combined," continued Travis.

Dunkin' Donuts said for a limited time, it would make special development incentives available for qualifying franchisees, including reduced royalty fees in the early years and a $10,000 local store marketing contribution by the company.