Dunkin’ is returning to Kazakhstan with a new franchise agreement with Kusto Group, with the first location being prepared in central Almaty as the US coffee and doughnut chain re-enters the Central Asian market after about a decade.
The first Dunkin’ restaurant is being prepared near the intersection of Kunaev and Gogol streets in Almaty, with the brand’s signage already in place. Kusto Group has confirmed that it is behind the Kazakhstan launch, although the opening date, number of planned restaurants and wider development strategy have not yet been disclosed. The company said further details will follow an official announcement from Dunkin’s US headquarters.
The deal marks Dunkin’s move from its earlier retail presence in Kazakhstan to a dedicated brick-and-mortar franchise operation. The brand’s products were previously sold through Ramstore supermarkets in Almaty, while a delivery launch was attempted in 2015. A 2019 plan to introduce Dunkin’ Donuts outlets through Mega Center Management also did not develop into a permanent restaurant network.
Founded in Massachusetts in 1950, Dunkin’ has grown into a global coffee and quick-service restaurant brand with more than 14,000 restaurants across nearly 40 markets. Its offering spans coffee, espresso-based beverages, doughnuts, baked goods, sandwiches and other food and beverage products. The brand has operated under the shorter Dunkin’ name since 2019, when it dropped “Donuts” from its corporate branding.
For Kusto Group, the Kazakhstan launch builds on its existing experience in international restaurant franchising. In 2021, Kusto Group and Georgia-based Wissol Group partnered with The Wendy’s Company to develop Wendy’s across Central Asia, with an initial target of up to 45 restaurants in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan by 2030, including 25 in Kazakhstan. The first two Wendy’s restaurants in Kazakhstan opened in Almaty in 2021.
Wissol also brings direct Dunkin’ operating experience to the partnership, developing Dunkin’, Wendy’s and Subway in Georgia.
The new agreement gives Dunkin’ another foothold in Central Asia as international coffee and QSR brands continue expanding across Kazakhstan. The scale of the Dunkin’ rollout will depend on the development plans that Kusto Group and Dunkin’ are expected to announce with the official launch.
