Everyday Low Munchkins

Dunkin Donuts (Randolph, Mass.) announced it would open its first shop inside a Wal-Mart store, in North Wyndham, Conn.

The coffee-and-pastry purveyor and the world’s biggest retailer plan to open 10 stores in the next three months in Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

“We are thrilled with this announcement,” said Jon Luther, ceo of Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants, parent of Dunkin’ Donuts.. “Wal-Mart and Dunkin’ Donuts share the same mainstream American customer base. We understand the needs of our customers for speed, convenience and quality, whether they are stopping for a coffee or shopping for retail items.”

Prominently positioned in the front of each Wal-Mart, the in-store Dunkin’ Donuts shops will have the same look and feel as the familiar neighborhood Dunkin’ Donuts stores. Each shop will offer a full menu, including coffees, doughnuts, muffins, lattes, cappuccinos and breakfast sandwiches.

Some of the Dunkin’ Donuts stores will also feature ice cream from Baskin-Robbins, another Allied Domecq subsidiary. The Dunkin’ Donuts and combined Baskin-Robbins will be owned and operated by franchisees and located in markets where Dunkin’ Donuts currently enjoys a retail presence. The next in-store shops will open in Walpole, Mass., and Monaca, Pa., within a month.

Allied Domecq QSR is a division of Allied Domecq PLC (Bristol, U.K.), which is the world’s second-largest distiller and includes such brands as Ballantine’s scotch, Beefeater gin, Kahlua liqueur, Sauza tequila, Canadian Club whiskey and Courvoisier cognac.