Dunkin’ Donuts To Launch Dark Roast Coffee

For the first time in 64 years, Dunkin’ Donuts launched a dark-roast coffee at a store in Modesto, California. Dunkin’ plans to sell this roast nationwide starting September 22nd.  This will be the most significant launch since 2003 when Dunkin’ introduced espresso, cappuccino and lattes. Dunkin’s dark-roast coffee will be advertised as a smoother roast than other dark coffees on the market. Dunkin’ Brands president of global marketing, John Costello, has said, “We saw an unmet demand for a dark roast product that had a bold flavor but a smoothness that’s often associated with Dunkin’ Original Blend.”

The existing dark-roast iced coffee at Dunkin’ will be replaced with this new roast at the locations that offer the iced beverage. The Dunkin’ dark-roasted coffee that is bagged and sold in grocery stores however, will not be replaced with this newer version; it will remain the same dark-roast from when it was first sold in 2009 through a collaboration with J.M. Smucker Co. The new roast has been in the works for several years. Food scientists working with Dunkin’ set out to develop a coffee that would cut out the bitterness known to be found in dark-roasts; Costello states, “It provides an alternative choice for our current users as well as new users who wanted a bolder flavor than Dunkin’ original.” The brand will spend millions of dollars marketing this new roast to appeal to a mass audience.

To read more about the launch of Dunkin’ Donuts’ new dark-roast coffee blend, click here

Seasonal Food Offerings to Boost Sales

Let the pumpkin-flavored products begin! Beginning this week many chains are rolling out their seasonal pumpkin-flavored treats. McDonald’s will be offering their pumpkin-spiced latte beginning Labor Day, and Starbucks will roll out their PSL the following day. The pumpkin craze has increased over the past few years which has shown an increase in the demand for this seasonal treat. According to Nielsen, In 2013 pumpkin-flavored sales in the U.S increased 14%. This extra demand allowed for an 11% price mark up on pumpkin-flavored products according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Dunkin’ Donuts is also using the seasonal food offering as a strategic way to boost sales by introducing pumpkin coffees, muffins and of course doughnuts. Aside from the 200 million PSL Starbucks sold last year across its 11,700 U.S locations, it is also offering pumpkin scones, pumpkin cream cheese muffins, and pumpkin-flavored instant latte drinks. For this coming season, Dunkin’ is introducing a pumpkin creme brûlée coffee and Baskin-Robbins is rolling out a pumpkin-cheesecake flavored ice cream.

Coffee, doughnut and ice-cream chains are not the only ones to take part in this seasonal craze, packaged-food companies are also taking part. Quaker brand will be offering a pumpkin spiced instant oatmeal for the fall and General Mills Inc (GIS) will also be rolling out seasonal pumpkin-flavored products including Pillsbury cinnamon rolls, Yoplait yogurt and Betty Crocker cookie mix. Even Purina is jumping in on the action! Purina stated last month that they had introduced a salmon, egg and pumpkin blend of dry dog food.

To read more about how seasonal food offerings are key to boosting sales, click here