Pour one out for Dunkin’ Donuts today. The Donuts chain, which is an east coast favorite and far superior to the likes of Starbucks and Krispy Kreme, is shutting down over 450 locations in the United States. Devastating news for the donut lovers of the world.
Speedway Locations
All of the Dunkin’ locations closing are based in Speedway gas stations’ convenience stores, which USA Today first learned. It’s a similar move to Starbucks, which is now closing over 400 locations. Jokes aside about less Dunkin’ Donuts in the world, it sounds like a few thousand people might lose their jobs when they need them most. That’s a shame.
A Word From Dunkin’
Dunkin’ Donuts is completely cutting ties with Speedway. Dunkin’ spokesperson, Michelle King, explained the decision in her statement:
“Very few of the approximately 450 Speedway-owned and operated limited menu Dunkin’ locations have closed to date, and we remain on track to exit Speedway by the end of 2020. By exiting these sites, we are confident we will be better positioned to serve these trade areas with Dunkin’s newest Next Generation restaurant design that offers a broader menu and modern experience.”
In the meantime, Dunkin’ will continue to look for deals to strike with gas stations and other locations, such as airports and universities, about establishing more locations.
Dunkin’ Restaurants
Back in 2018, Dunkin’ Donuts started creating what they call their next generation of stores. They’re sleeker and have a restaurant vibe with coffee on tap. They opened the first of these stores in Massachusetts, plus Southern California, where Dunkin’ was missing for years. When the donut shop first arrived in Los Angeles, there were lines for blocks and cops were called for noise and crowd complaints. It was a beautiful day to be living in Los Angeles.
The Future of Dunkin’
Dunkin’ wants more of these stores around the country in the future. For starters, they finally provide drive-thru, in case you’re in a rush, it’s cold out, or you simply don’t want to walk to a few feet to purchase donuts. Whatever is best for you, the consumer. Here’s a more detailed description of their new, modern stores they plan on expanding:
The new concept store features a modern atmosphere and new and innovative technologies and design elements, including the first drive-thru exclusively for mobile ordering, fully-integrated digital kiosks coming in 2018, new crew uniforms and a tap system serving eight consistently cold beverages such as coffees, iced teas, cold brew coffee and nitro infused cold brew coffee. This restaurant will be the first of 30 or more new and remodeled Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants that will test variations of the new design this year.
Gotta Love Dunkin’
Dunkin’ is almost always satisfying. If you had to choose between Starbucks and Dunkin’, you gotta go Dunkin’ every time. Sure, donuts are terrible for you and empty calories, but Dunkin’… so hard to resist. Both their old school and modern stores are delights to visit, where you can stuff your face silly while slurping down their delicious coffee. Plus, every coffee nut knows Dunkin’s coffee is far better and cheaper than Starbucks.
There are over 12,000 Dunkin’ Donuts worldwide. They make around 9 billion dollars a year. Despite their winning formula of success — good coffee and donuts — they’re still looking to the future while not fixing what’s not broken. Over the last few years, they’ve been testing out new products, designs, and looks for their brand. Impassively, Dunkin’ has remained Dunkin’ during times of change and trying to stay modern.
The thing is, Dunkin’ will never go out of style. It’ll always be a great way to start a morning or end a long night. It’s too bad there’s less Dunkin’ stores and jobs in the world now, but expect more of their modern stores in the future with coffee taps and all.
