I just recently attended Coffee Fest in Seattle for work. It is attended by over 7,000 folks who are coffee roasters, retails owners, prospective retail owners, franchisees, or just plain coffee fanatics. Knowing how Dunkin Donuts is the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world, one would think that the largest coffee trade show would demand their attendance. Yet, they were no where to be found. I was just plain sad.
Perhaps we, the loyal followers of DD, should do one of two things. 1 – write to Dunkin Donuts corporate and petition that they should never again disappoint the coffee community by not showing up for Coffee Fest. 2 – raise a few dollars and send our own team from the Dunkin Donuts Blog to promote our favorite “coffee and baked goods chain in the world.” Personally, I would opt for #2.
It makes me wonder how serious they are about promoting their coffee. Seems to be a no brainer to me.
My company Nebo Group would be willing to sponsor part of a booth. Anyone willing to pick up $100 of the $1600 cost with me?
[…] I am rather stoked. i got asked to write a quick blurb on the Dunkin Donuts Talk blog about my experience at Coffee Fest. Basically, it is a quick blast about DD not being present at Coffee Fest. […]
It’s actually not surprising at all that Dunkin’ Donuts didn’t appear. There are no Dunkin’ Donuts franchises in the area, so there is no local franchisee that would be exerting marketing efforts there. The franchisor in Canton has no one there asking them to support an effort at local events, even if it might be described as an industry-wide event . When Dunkin’ Donuts develops shops in that market, expect to see lots of marketing. Until then, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Even if they didn’t have any franchisees around Seattle, wouldn’t Coffee Fest be a good place to find some? And, touting their reuptation as a great coffee chain, wouldn’t showcasing their roast against Seattle’s local roasteries be taking the Pepsi Challenge? I think that it would have been a great move on DD’s part to prove their coffee in America’s best coffee city.
My family, all of us, love DD coffee. We buy the freshly ground one pound bags every week. Two weeks ago we purchased four bags and gave two to my wife’s parents who love DD coffee also. We have all agreed that the last purchase was NOT as good and normal. We visited the DD store last Wednesday for coffee and donuts and the coffee was not nearly as good as normal. After such a long and consistent history of very pleasing coffee, how could DD coffee suddenly lose the edge it has always enjoyed. Starbucks has just opened close by…surely they aren’t feeling any pressure and responding by offering reduced quality products.