Dunkin’ Vet Will Kussell Joins Advent International

Will Kussell has joined Advent International as an operating partner. He previously was president and chief brand officer of Dunkin’ Donuts Worldwide.

PRESS RELEASE

Advent International, the global private equity firm, today announced that Will Kussell has joined the firm’s Operating Partner Program to advise on global investment opportunities in the retail and consumer sector, with a particular focus on restaurants, health and wellness, footwear and franchisors.

Most recently, Mr. Kussell served as President and Chief Brand Officer of Dunkin’ Donuts Worldwide. In this role, Mr. Kussell oversaw Dunkin’ Donuts’ domestic and international operations, marketing, franchising and new business initiatives.

David Mussafer, Managing Partner and head of Advent’s North American team, said: “We look to our operating partners to help us better understand industry dynamics and provide insights from their experiences as leaders in their industry. The addition of Will to the Operating Partner Program highlights our commitment to identifying and securing experienced talent in our sectors.”

During his 15-year tenure at Dunkin’ Donuts, Mr. Kussell led the successful strategic repositioning of Dunkin’ Donuts to a coffee and bakery segment leader, growing U.S. sales in the process from just over $1 billion in 1994 to more than $5 billion in 2009. Additionally, Mr. Kussell launched the “America Runs on Dunkin’” marketing campaign and established an international growth strategy that led to a 60% sales increase from 2004-2009. Prior to Dunkin’ Donuts, Mr. Kussell served as Reebok’s Vice President of Marketing and as Polaroid’s International Group Product Manager.

“Retail and consumer is a core investment sector for Advent, and Will’s significant experience in these sectors will be key in finding and adding value to our investments,” said Advent Managing Director Steven Collins.

Commenting on his new role, Will Kussell said, “The retail sector is dynamic, and there is considerable potential for investing in and further developing brands in the space. Advent’s reputation as an established global firm with a long history of generating growth and value is a powerful platform to address these opportunities. I am excited to be working with Advent on the development of their retail and consumer portfolio.”

Mr. Kussell is a member of the Board of Directors of Modell’s Sporting Goods. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and sociology, magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s of Business Administration from Boston University.

Advent Operating Partner Program

Advent’s Operating Partner Program involves business leaders from a range of sectors working as consultants to the firm in a variety of ways: sourcing investment opportunities, assisting with the due diligence process and advising on the strategic and operational development of portfolio companies. The use of operating partners is a fundamental and long-established element of Advent’s highly operational approach to investing. The program currently includes over 70 high-level individuals, many of whom have been involved in multiple Advent investments.

About Advent International

Founded in 1984, Advent International is one of the world’s leading global buyout firms, with offices in 16 countries on four continents. A driving force in international private equity for 25 years, Advent has built an unparalleled global platform of over 150 investment professionals across Western and Central Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. The firm focuses on international buyouts, strategic repositioning opportunities and growth buyouts in five core sectors, working actively with management teams to drive revenue growth and earnings improvements in portfolio companies. Since inception, Advent has raised $24 billion in private equity capital and, through its buyout programs, has completed over 250 transactions valued at approximately $45 billion in 35 countries. For more information, visit www.adventinternational.com.