America Runs On Grocery Store Coffee

The New York Times recently reported that everyone’s favorite locally-based megachain, Dunkin’ Donuts, has inked a deal with Proctor & Gamble to sell Dunkie’s coffee at grocery and convenience stores nationwide. This means that within a month or so, you’ll be able to pick up a bag of beans not only during your daily donut run, but also at retail operations from CVS to Target. For Bostonians, this is no big whoop. After all, we live in a city with no less than 196 Dunkin’ Donuts locations within the city limits. If you want to get some beans, it’s not that tricky. This decision is a much bigger deal for non-New Englanders. It’s no secret that the DD is planning to greatly expand throughout the country, especially in the Midwest, South, and West. The Boston-based chain hopes to start seriously rivaling Starbucks. Getting Dunkin’ Donuts coffee on the widest possible array of shelves is a great way to spread brand recognition.

We’re a little torn on this decision and, indeed, the giant expansion of Dunkin’ Donuts. On the one hand, we’re no huge fan of megachains. On the other, we love Dunkie’s. Back on the first hand, as we’ve mentioned before, we worry that brand extension will inevitably result in quality dilution. On the other hand again, assuming the product is good, why should we be so selfish as to deny our Midwestern (and Western and Southern) brethren the pleasures of a good (and reasonably priced…40 ounce bags of beans will sell for about $16) cup of coffee? On the first hand again, what if the product isn’t good? The beans will, after all, be roasted by Proctor & Gamble, rather than Dunkin’ Donuts. What if the quality isn’t up to snuff?

Basically, we’re adopting a wait and see policy on this one. We’re not huge at-home coffeemakers, so if you are, let us know how the new supermarket Dunkie’s tastes.

Grocers to Sell Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee [New York Times]
Proctor & Gamble Brings Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee to Kitchens Across the Country [Dunkin’ Donuts]

America Runs On Grocery Store Coffee