CHESAPEAKE
Step aside, Starbucks.
Move over, McDonald's.
Make some room, Krispy Kreme.
Dunkin' Donuts is rolling into town - in a big way. The pastry-and-coffee chain plans to open 65 new locations throughout the region over the next seven years, including the first five stores in the Outer Banks.
It's part of a nationwide effort for the company to push into the South and the West with carefully chosen franchisees. After expanding loosely from its core Northeast markets in the late 1980s and early '90s, Dunkin' Donuts has sharpened its focus on regional owners who have a proven track record and a passion for the brand, said Jon Luther, chairman and chief executive of Dunkin' Brands Inc., the parent company based in Canton, Mass.
Those unfamiliar with the concept might not realize that the chain is no longer the most-beloved for its round cakes with holes in the middle - or even the famous Dunkin' Munchkin holes themselves. Instead, it's the beverage customers want.
"Dunkin' Donuts is a coffee brand disguised as a doughnut shop," Luther said.
Coffee now accounts for 63 percent of Dunkin' Donuts annual sales, which reached almost $5 billion in 2006, according to the latest figures from the privately held company.
In a country of coffee-crazed consumers, Dunkin' Donuts officials see the chain as well-positioned to take on the leaders in that field, as well as those in the fast-food arena. Luther described its niche as "down the middle" - between the quality-conscious brands such as Starbucks Coffee, and the speed-oriented, low-priced chains such as McDonald's. "We call it 'quick quality,' " Luther said.
Luther and Will Kussell, president and chief brand officer for Dunkin' Donuts, came to town Thursday to launch the opening of the first remodeled store in the region, on Western Branch Boulevard in Chesapeake. The chain, which dates to 1950, now has 10 stores in South Hampton Roads and seven or so on the Peninsula - all of which will incorporate the updated design and new menu items.
Branching out from its doughnuts, muffins and bagels, Dunkin' Donuts is adding personal pizzas, flatbread sandwiches and hash-brown snacks, aiming to attract diners all day.
The expansion also could include the first Dunkin' Donuts in downtown Norfolk. John Motta, the franchisee who owns six stores in Hampton Roads and plans to open 40 more, said he is in negotiations with the developers of Wachovia Center.
Carolyn Shapiro, (757) 446-2270, carolyn.shapiro@pilotonline.com
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All Things Being Equal
If we are talking about donuts I would say Dunkin and Krispy Kreme are pretty much equal.
When it comes to coffee, there is no doubt that Starbucks is the taste and quality leader. At $2 for a 16oz, the price is a little steep. BUT guess what, I many markets Dunkin coffee is the same price. Know why, because they realized people will pay $2 for coffee even if the quality is not there.
Wawa coffee comes in second as far as taste is concerned. The price is a bit cheaper than Starbucks.
Dunkin Coffee would be next with no price benefit.
Krispy Kreme coffee is actually pretty good and a bit less expensive.
7-11 coffee is schlock...it is like drinking dirty water. Bitter, thin, no flavor.
McDonald's coffee is at the bottom of the list. It tastes processed, tinny, bitter, and thin. And the price is not that much less that, I'll say it again, Starbucks.
Here's what happened, Starbucks introduced an extremely high quality coffee to the market and charged according to what it cost them to import the beans from the coffee farmers around the world. Tack on labor costs and other expenses and then realize that Starbucks pays 2 to 3 times the price per pound for their coffee
Spokesperson
Dunkin Doughnuts is using John Goodman as a spokesperson. It sounds like the dude is talking with a 5 pound ball of buttery flab hanging off his neck. When the ad comes on the radio it sounds like his flab neck is strangling him. He don't sound healthy. It kills any desire to consume their products.
I miss them
Man, I haven't even thought about Dutch Maid in years. I sure do miss that place!!
Anyone remember Dutch Maid Donuts?
Krispi Kreme and Dunkin couldn't touch them! Dense, thick fried goodness. Great with a large Pepsi on Saturday morning!