It’s hard to imagine any coffee shop becoming as pervasive as Starbucks. This may be a function of living in New York where it’s virtually impossible to stand at any intersection and not have a Starbucks somewhere in your line of vision, but it seems like everywhere the Bucks has the largest number of franchises, the most recognizable logo and over time has essentially become synonymous with its product. In most cases, “Does anyone want coffee?” basically means “I’m going to Starbucks,” unless otherwise specified.
According to CNN Money, Dunkin’ Donuts is in the process of attempting to share the spotlight with Starbucks. On Wednesday the coffee and donut chain announced plans to double their number of U.S. locations in the next 20 years, making their 7,000-store chain into a 14,000-store, McDonald’s-sized operation. If they succeed and Starbucks slows in growth they will overtake the Coffee King’s 11,000 U.S. stores and become the largest coffee outlet in the U.S.
This seems like an ambitious goal for a chain named after the least healthy pastry in a market that seems to be leaning more and more towards “fresh” and “healthy” branding. In the last year, every breakfast chain from IHOP to Krispy Kreme has announced plans to incorporate more fruits and whole grains into their list of sugary food options.
It’s hard to imagine rolling up to a Dunkin’ Donuts counter and looking at a colorful display of donuts and bagel twists, then opting for an iceberg lettuce and carrot salad instead.
But according to CNN Money, Dunkin’s expansion plans don’t include a menu makeover, at least not yet. “Dunkin’ also said it has finished streamlining its supply chain, consolidating four existing regional suppliers under one entity, National DCP. The company said the move will cut costs,” they wrote.
However they grow, if they’re going to put that many new stores in our faces hopefully their expansion will include revamping their color scheme so we can actually spend some quality time in Dunkin’s without having seizures—and free wifi wouldn’t hurt, either.
January 04, 2012 at 7:06 pm, Jenn.* said:
Dunkin’s coffee is awful. Their donuts, which they should stick to, are amazing.
January 05, 2012 at 3:57 am, Robert Dean said:
I am beyond excited about this. They’re on every corner in Chicago, and since moving to New Orleans a few years back, I have to go to Metarie to get my fix. I seriously hope one pops up in my part of town soon.
January 05, 2012 at 12:29 pm, Lauren DeMichiei said:
If they want this to work, they need to change more than their color scheme.