News

Dunkin' salts its sweet java on way into Michigan Bay

February 28, 2017

Dunkin' Donuts started an LTO this week that blends sweet and salty in a cold cup of jo for that growing throng of salted caramel- and bacon-candy lovers out there, according to a news release. This particular beverage offering features that flash-from-the-past trend item, cane sugar, along with salted whipped topping and a special coffee blend steeped in cold water for a distinct dark chocolate flavor, according to a company press release.

The chain said the frosty drink is created in small batches on site, a la that famous green logo-bearing competitor. But this is Dunkin', so there's a deal involved. In this case, the chain said DD Perks Reward members will get 20 extra points for every cup of java purchased between now and March 26, toward that 200-point finish line that awards customers with a free drink of any size. 

And just to add some more calories to the sweet-and-salty saga, the chain is also introducing a vanilla truffle donut with buttercream, topped with chocolate icing and dark and white chocolate curls. Or the luck-lorn can try a shamrock sprinkle donut, featuring chocolate icing and shamrock sprinkles or the butter-laden chocolate-filled twist, the chocolate-filled croissant, also for a limited time. 

Dunkin' Donuts is bringing the limited-time offerings on board as it prepares to open its first store in the Great Lakes bayfront city of Pinconningg, Michigan this summer under the guidance of new franchisee, Main Street Food Services, LLC. The group is part of Corrigan Oil, which operates 26 gas/convenience stores there. In fact, Corrigan brothers, Tim and Mike, will actually lead the new Dunkin' location's operations daily. 

"Dunkin' Donuts was an obvious choice for us after learning about the brand's flexible concept options and world-class marketing team," Tim Corrigan said in a news release. 

Michigan now has 78 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants, 18 of which are inside gas and convenience locations. Franchisee recruitment continues in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing areas with development incentives like lower royalty fees for three years and up to $5,000 in local store marketing support for timely openings.