FRANKLIN PARK, Ill., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ — Howard M. Dean, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF), announced today that
Dean Foods has entered into a strategic alliance with Baskin-Robbins to
manufacture and distribute ice cream to Baskin-Robbins’ franchised retail
outlets throughout most of the nation. Baskin-Robbins is operated and
marketed by Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants (ADQSR). The production
will be handled at four Dean Foods locations; Alta-Dena Dairy in Southern
California; Creamland Dairies in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Barber Dairy in
Birmingham, Alabama and Dean’s Belvidere, Illinois ice cream facility.

In making the announcement, Howard Dean said, “We are extremely pleased
that Baskin-Robbins has chosen to align with Dean Foods nationally.
Baskin-Robbins is the leading ice cream store chain in the U.S. with a strong
franchisee base, terrific brand recognition and a loyal consumer following.
Our alliance provides the possibility to extend beyond ice cream production
and distribution to a broader relationship that involves Allied Domecq’s other
retail food businesses.”

Jack Shafer, Chief Executive Officer, Alled Domecq Quick Service
Restaurants (ADQSR) said, “We anticipate this alliance with Dean Foods will
benefit Baskin-Robbins and its franchisees as we take advantage of Dean’s
experience in manufacturing Baskin-Robbins ice cream and its standing as one
of the leading ice cream producers in the country.”

The exclusive supply arrangement gives Dean $85 million in additional ice
cream sales and more effectively utilizes Dean’s existing production capacity
while extending its distribution reach from coast to coast. Mr. Dean
commented, “With this expansion of our business, we have truly become a
national ice cream player. We intend to leverage this capability to support
continued growth of our regional ice cream brands and to further execute our
national ice cream business strategy.”

As the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty stores, Baskin-Robbins
creates and markets its innovative, high-quality premium ice cream, specialty
frozen desserts and beverages in the company’s more then 4,400 retail stores
around the globe. Baskin-Robbins is operated and marketed by Randolph, Mass.-
based Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants, which is part of U.K.-based
Allied Domecq PLC, one of the world’s largest spirits and quick service
restaurant companies. ADQSR also operates Dunkin’ Donuts and Togo’s.

Dean Foods is one of the nation’s leading dairy processors and
distributors producing a full line of branded and private label products,
including fluid milk, ice cream and extended shelf life products, which are
sold under the Dean’s and other strong regional brand names. Dean Foods is
the industry leader in other food products including pickles, powdered
non-dairy coffee creamers, aseptically packaged foodservice products, and
refrigerated dips and salad dressings.

SOURCE Dean Foods Company

Web site: http://www.deanfoods.com

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/109161.htmlor fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 109161

CONTACT: Howard Dean, Chairman and CEO, or Eric Blanchard,President, Dairy Division, both of Dean Foods Company,847-678-1680