Pernod Ricard is close to selling its fast food chain Dunkin' Donuts. A preferred bidder could be named this week. American private equity group Blackstone and Texas Pacific have already made a joint bid, and Bain Capital has joined with Carlyle Group and Thomas H Lee Partners to make a rival offer.  Analysts expect Dunkin' Donuts to fetch about Eu1.7bn, though it will have to pay as much as Eu370m in capital gains tax. Along with other disposals of brands such as Bushmills Irish Whiskey, Seagram's vodka and Glen Grant and Old Smuggler whiskies, the sale of Dunkin' Donuts should help Pernod Ricard raise Eu5.8bn from disposals by next July, cutting its borrowings to about Eu7.9bn. The Business 30/10/05 page 9

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