“America runs on Dunkin’” and _______ on Starbucks.

by nicole ~ October 22, 2008

I’m not sure if and when the ads will run in New York, but according to The Boston Globe, earlier this week Dunkin’ Donuts announced a new campaign touting the results of their blind taste test, which found more participants preferred Dunkin’ Donuts coffee over Starbucks.The Boston Globe explained:

“According to Dunkin’ Donuts, which is in the midst of a national expansion effort, A&G Research Inc. conducted a taste test in May and June in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, and Starbucks’ home turf, Seattle.”

“Dunkin’ Donuts said that ‘476 adults, each of whom had consumed regular, hot brewed coffee within the past week, participated in this double-blind taste test. For the test, A&G Research used fresh packaged coffee purchased in each brand’s stores, tested each brand’s most popular flavor (Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend versus Starbucks House Blend), brewed the coffee using equipment recommended by each brand and served it black.’”

As a part of this campaign they’ve launched a new website (http://www.dunkingbeatstarbucks.com/), which suggests “it’s just more proof it’s all about the coffee (not the couches or music).”

I find this to be an interesting claim because this campaign is based on a taste test, which was strictly about the coffee flavor, and not on how many people actually GO to either Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts.

I say this as someone who is a fan of both coffee chains for different reasons.  Over the course of (and before) my coffee drinking years, Starbucks has served many purposes.  It has been a destination for coffee dates, catching up with old friends, business meetings, people-watching, studying, reading, surfing the net, etc.  Dunkin’ has been an early morning rest-stop, cup of coffee before class/work, box of Munchkins for the office, giant iced coffee on hot summer day destination.  I mention all of this to illustrate that for me, Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks aren’t on the same playing field and I suspect others feel the same way.  Sure, one may or may not have a better cup of coffee than the other, but how many people actually go to each and for what reasons?

On an interesting note this Boston Magazine blogger shares my view that you cannot just compare the coffee as if they are on equal turf. Blogger Amy Darjue says:

“It’s also silly to take on Starbucks because the two chains are so totally different. Dunkin’ Donuts services those of us who just want a quick, cheap fix of caffeine. Starbucks customers are willing to pay more for a whipped cream-topped latte, and typically like to sit for a few minutes and peruse the newspaper or fiddle with their Blackberry.  Unless you’re a high school student or homeless person, you never consider hanging around at a Dunkin’ Donuts.”

I think Amy hits the nail on the head here, though I believe many of us have multiple coffee personalities and can enjoy both chains for what they’re worth - but if you’re an avid Dunkin’ supporter you’ll be pleased to know you can send your friends a Dunkin’ e-card when you visit their new site and click on “spread the truth” to let them know “I told you so!”