1/16/2005 03:28:42 PM|||Scott Lewis|||With the addition of more espresso drinks to its menu, Dunkin' Donuts might look like it's trying to be another Starbucks Corp.
Well, it's true that Dunkin' Donuts is experimenting with WiFi access in a few Chicago shops and considering music in more of its stores — two features of Starbucks outlets. But although its espresso launch has boosted its competitive position against Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts says it is content to maintain its distance from the upscale Seattle coffee giant and stick to its workaday, on-the-go niche.
There's no broad campaign encouraging customers to linger awhile at Dunkin' Donuts' pink and orange-themed shops — and there are no plans to switch from Dunkin Donuts' "small-medium-large" cup size hierarchy to something akin to Starbucks' oft-mocked sizes of tall, grande and venti.
"People say you're taking on Starbucks, but we're really not," CEO Jon Luther told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "All we want to do is share some space with the coffee consumer."
What the franchise chain is planning is to share that space by expanding westward — only 70 of its stores are currently located west of the Mississippi River. The company, a subsidiary of the British wine and spirits firm Allied Domecq, has its heaviest concentration of locations in New England, where there are 1,700.
And it's changing its menu again, planning to add iced beverages to its year-old line of espresso drinks, and broadening its small line of sandwiches with a new sirloin steak, scrambled eggs and cheese on a bagel. The sandwich, to be offered through May at selected outlets, is an upscale version of the breakfast sandwich Dunkin' Donuts now offers with a choice of bacon, ham or sausage.
The move comes as both Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks put greater emphasis on sandwiches to draw more afternoon customers and respond to moves by fast-food giants such as McDonald's Corp. that now sell more premium coffees.
Dunkin' Donuts customers interviewed outside a downtown Boston shop across the street from a Starbucks said they welcomed some of Dunkin' Donuts' recent changes — as long as the chain doesn't abandon the basics.
"It's quite a bit cheaper than Starbucks, and it's convenient, and they're fast," said Sandra Jadotte, a 30-year-old downtown officer worker and three-times-a-week consumer of Dunkin' Donuts' no-frills coffee.
Brian Lam, 25, said he chooses Starbucks when he wants a strong blend of top-notch coffee, but opts for Dunkin' Donuts when he craves French Vanilla flavoring.
"I'm here for the caffeine strictly," Lam said.
While Dunkin's doughnuts cemented the company's name and reputation, they made up less than 15 percent of the chain's total $3.6 billion in fiscal 2004 sales. Espresso beverages accounted for 10 percent, nearly twice what the chain expected when the high-end drinks were introduced early last year, Luther said.
Clearly, Starbucks and its huge sales of espresso are on the minds of Dunkin' Donuts executives. In a recent press release, Dunkin' Donuts said its new lattes and cappuccinos "helped the brand solidify its position as a viable competitor to premium coffee chains like Starbucks."
And next summer, Dunkin' Donuts will introduce the Turbo Ice: iced coffee with a shot of espresso.
Starbucks doesn't appear to be worried: "Starbucks believes there is room for many coffeehouses in the marketplace that can meet different customer needs," spokeswoman Valerie Hwang said.
Jump|||110591098264022921|||Dunkin' Donuts evolves from no-frills to espresso and WiFi, looks westward for growth1/16/2005 9:58 PM|||Zachary Cox|||Congrats' I think it is a good Donut Blog you have going, it is difrent, it is nice to read somethig that is a bit of the "convayor belt"1/17/2005 1:26 PM|||AM|||I wouldn't drink coffee from StarSucks even if somebody else was buying. The coffee is terrible, over priced and the size names are ridiculous. Bravo to DD for adding more espresso drinks, but sticking to its roots.1/17/2005 2:31 PM|||Anonymous|||To Scott, the author of this blog:
I'm curious about the intent of this blog. Does Dunkin' Donuts pay you? I don't understand its purpose. Look forward to your response.1/17/2005 2:39 PM|||Scott Lewis|||Hello Anonymous (and all)-
I put an about page out there in the Links section of the site which explains my intent for the site. I don't work for DD or have any affiliation with them - other than I love their coffee and donuts. I created the blog simply for the fun of it and to share my love of DD with people - I never thought it would get this kind of response! I haven't figured out what my plans are yet long term for this site because I never thought there would be a long term life to the site - so if you have ideas, I'm all ears! Email me if you have ideas on how to improve the site and give it a long life - I'd be happy to partner with people and share the DD love!
Thanks1/17/2005 5:41 PM|||elizabeth|||interesting blog. i buy from both Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts and to be honest, i always feel guilty about cheating on one with the other. *haha. but hands down, Dunkin Donuts coffee is so much more better than Starbucks and This Cannot Be Refuted if you possess a decent set of taste buds and sanity. haha. but i'm glad Dunkin Donuts is broadening their menu to more quality choices. all they need to do now is make a better chocolate brownie frappuccino and i will be completely faithful to DD :)1/17/2005 11:16 PM|||Ooser Nahmay|||Their donuts are good, their coffee is above average, but selling steak and egg sandwiches? But some guy named Patel making a steak and egg sandwich first thing in the morning is just disgusting.1/17/2005 11:53 PM|||Dear Diary|||Great blog! How do you get so many people to look at it??1/18/2005 10:29 AM||||Chris||||At 1:26 PM, Angie said...
I wouldn't drink coffee from StarSucks even if somebody else was buying. The coffee is terrible, over priced and the size names are ridiculous. Bravo to DD for adding more espresso drinks, but sticking to its roots.
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I totally agree!1/18/2005 5:44 PM|||Road Kill|||Great blog. I used to live in the Northeast and seems to me that DD does not thrive as well in other parts of the US? I wish DD the best of luck in what ever they do...but keep it simple! What I hate about Starbusks is the menu is so confusing.1/18/2005 6:13 PM|||AnnaFixx|||Awesome! Stand up to the over-priced coffee bullies. DD coffe is one of the best on the market. There is nothing like their French Vanilla or regular with Cream and Sugar on a cold winter night.
PS. You're making me hungry for donuts!1/19/2005 7:12 PM|||Picaso|||No one is going to believe me. But I was just reading the post and dreaming about how fat I'll get eating donuts - and i don't care - when suddenly my dog walked up to me and actually spoke. It is incredible.. She said "DOUGH" "NUT". And I just think that is incredible. It's arguable whether it was just a "woof" "woof", but I really dont think so. So.. I am going to take her out for a donut. I think she deserves it.. don't you?
Nice site BTW1/19/2005 11:33 PM|||Col. Hogan|||There used to be a few Dunkin Donuts in San Diego, but I think they're all gone now. Now i live in Orange County, Calif, and there are none here, either. I'm stuck with those atroscious Krispy Kremes, which I don't like much and rarely eat.
Krispy Kreme is growing like bloody Starbucks, but there arew no Dunkin's here. Why?
Thanks,
Col. Hogan
waynesdirtylab@yahoo.com1/20/2005 7:50 AM|||G35king|||Did you see this??
Two Lucky Couples Say 'I Do' to a Dunkin' Donuts Wedding
http://www.mysan.de/international/article26793.html1/20/2005 8:15 AM||||Chris||||Col... don't they have "winchells" in CA?
plus Chris, yes you should give your dog a donut but not a chocolate one... and it is all about the coffee as mentioned before.1/20/2005 1:01 PM|||Scone|||I used to go to Dunkin's all over the West when I was growing up (and more so after I got a car), but now you can't find one to save your life. I don't know about coffee, but their donuts were always way better than the competition. Krispy Kreme? What a travesty! I am thrilled to hear the Dunkins are moving west again. Bring 'em on, I say!1/23/2005 9:21 AM|||Kevin|||I am so glad to see the Dunkin Donuts Blog. I posted on my otherwise very political Blog, a tribute to Dunkin Donuts. My Mother has always loved Dunkin Donuts and I do too but sadly here in Northeast Wisconsin there are none. I beg you to come here! The link to my post at my blog is: http://home.earthlink.net/~kevin.omeara/2005/01/this-one-is-for-mom-dunkin-donuts-wins.html1/26/2005 5:05 PM|||Althea|||What a brilliant blog. I just recently purchased a Dunkin Donuts insulated mug so I could show my solidarity with other DD lovers. Here on Cape Cod we've got a billion outposts...about 1 for every 5 citizens, for serious. Keep it coming!1/26/2005 8:53 PM|||cinderelli|||I think the reason that Dunkin Donuts thrives on the east coast only, is because no one really knows what a good cup of coffee is. Dunkin Donuts is mediocre at best. It is convenient however. You can find one on every corner!!! I am a serious coffee lover and everytime I buy a cup at Dunkin, I have to yell at myself because the coffee weak and awful. I try to boycott it, but once in awhile Dunkin has some kind of hypnotic power and I am mindlessly drawn in, then at first sip.....I am snapped out of it. As far as the food goes, add it to the rest of "fast food" killers. America, wake up and eat some vegetables. Stay away from Dunkin Donuts unless you want to die early and very fat.