Coffee wars: Dunkin' Donuts to open 46 new locations in Indiana

Get ready to see a lot more Dunkin' Donuts stores, with the signature orange and hot pink signs, inviting you in for coffee and doughnuts.

The nation's No. 2 coffee chain said Wednesday it plans to open 46 new restaurants in Indiana in the next few years, more than doubling its current crop of 30 stores.

The locations have not been determined. Company officials said they likely would be a mix of new construction and existing property.

Either way, it's sure to launch an intense battle for territory and customers with other large chains, including industry leader Starbucks, as well as small, independent players.

"We certainly see our fair share of national and global competitors in that market," said Steve Rafferty, senior director of franchising for Dunkin' Brands, the chain's parent. "When we compare what we see in other markets, we know that there's room for us to compete there."

Dunkin' Donuts said it has signed agreements with two franchise groups to open stores in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Lafayette. The company also is looking for franchise operators in Evansville and Terre Haute.

The expansion is part of Dunkin' Donuts' aggressive push to more than double the number of locations nationally from 8,000 to about 17,500 in coming years.

The company, based in Canton, Mass., has been pushing westward in recent years. It has more than 500 locations in Chicago.

The coffee and doughnut business is highly profitable, at least for Dunkin'. The company rang up profits of $146 million on sales of $714 million in 2013.

Call Star reporter John Russell at (317) 444-6283. Follow him on Twitter: @johnrussell99.