Dunkin' Donuts making Nasdaq debut

The parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins is pricing its initial public offering at $19 a share, above the forecast price range.

Dunkin’ Brands Group said it is offering roughly 22.3 million shares at $19 each. The stock will trade starting today on the Nasdaq market under the ticker symbol DNKN.

The company had earlier projected the IPO price to range from $16 to $18 a share.

At $19 a share, the stock sale will raise about $423m before expenses. Underwriters also have an option to buy another 3.3 million shares.

Dunkin’ Brands, which is based in Canton, Massachusetts in the US, plans to use the IPO funds to pay down debt, but could also have money left over for expansion plans.