New York – December 12, 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Debevoise & Plimpton LLP advised Pernod Ricard in its agreement to sell the Dunkin’ Brands Inc. together with other related assets to a consortium group of buyers made up of Bain Capital, The Carlyle Group and Thomas H. Lee Partners for a purchase price of $2.425 billion. Dunkin’ Brands, which franchises more than 12,000 Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo’s shops worldwide, was acquired by Pernod Ricard as part of the takeover of Allied Domecq plc which closed on July 26, 2005. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2006, once certain regulatory authorizations have been obtained.
Pernod Ricard is a leading group in the Wine and Spirits global market with a portfolio comprised of 15 key brands: Ricard, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Kahlúa, Malibu, Beefeater, Havana Club, Stolichnaya, Jameson, Martell, The Glenlivet, Jacob’s Creek, Montana, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët. Dunkin’ Brands, based in Canton, Massachusetts, USA, is responsible for the worldwide development, marketing and franchising of the famous quick service restaurant brands Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo’s. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a leading international law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., London, Paris, Frankfurt, Moscow, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The Debevoise team was led by partner Paul S. Bird and included partners Gary M. Friedman and Elizabeth Pagel Serebransky and associates Timothy Bass, Anna Czege, Vadim Mahmoudov, Christian P. Mendoza, Charles E. Wachsstock, Matthew Heintz, Avi Bobker and Ilana Blass.
