In a turn of events that has left morning routines upended, some Dunkin' locations across several U.S. states are experiencing a temporary shortage of their beloved doughnuts.
Newsweek has emailed Dunkin' public relations and Inspire Brands, its parent company, on Saturday morning for additional comment.
Why It Matters
Dunkin' is one of the world's largest coffee and doughnut brands, boasting over 13,200 restaurants globally. Founded in Massachusetts in 1950, the company has become a staple in the coffee and doughnut industry. In 2020, Dunkin' was acquired for $11.3 billion by Inspire Brands, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that also owns Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings.
What to Know
Previously known as Dunkin' Donuts, in 2018 the company announced that it was dropping "Donuts" from its name in a rebrand to increase focus on its coffee and other drinks, which made up of a majority of its sales.
Dunkin' has attributed the shortage of its doughnuts to a combination of production challenges and logistical delays.
Dunkin' stores across Nebraska, New Mexico and Arizona had no doughnuts in their cases Thursday and Friday and put up signs on their doors and drive-thru kiosks informing customers that the pastries were unavailable "due to a manufacturing error."
Jack D'Amato, a spokesperson for Inspire Brands, stated that a problem with doughnuts from a single supplier affected stores in Nebraska and several other unspecified states.
Approximately 4 percent of Dunkin's U.S. locations were impacted, which amounts to about 380 of its more than 9,500 stores nationwide. D'Amato mentioned that the company is still investigating the cause and the full extent of the issue but has already started restocking some of the affected locations.
The shortages are not uniform across all locations; some stores are feeling the impact more severely than others, leading to an inconsistent customer experience.
The supply chain issues have been particularly vexing for franchisees, who rely on a steady stream of doughnuts to meet customer demands. Many store owners have had to get creative, offering alternative breakfast items and advising customers to check availability before heading out.
Industry experts suggest that the problem is multi-faceted. Labor shortages, transportation delays and increased demand have created a perfect storm that disrupts the supply chain. The bakery items in question typically travel from centralized production facilities to individual stores. In some cases, regional variations in supply availability have amplified the discrepancies, making it difficult for Dunkin' to predict and manage stock levels efficiently.
What People Are Saying
Tyler Raikar, of Omaha, stopped by a Dunkin' in west Omaha early Friday after an overnight shift as a phlebotomist, seeking coffee and a chocolate cake doughnut, and told The Associated Press: "What? No doughnuts! That's tragic!"
Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos told the Albuquerque Journal Friday: "We nearly had to cancel our Chief's monthly breakfast this morning because of the shortage of Dunkin' Donuts. Fortunately, we averted tragedy when Roma Bakery came through with breakfast burritos."
What Happens Next
Dunkin' locations that have managed to maintain their doughnut supply have reported a surge in business, as customers flock to these stores to get their fix. Additionally, the company has promised to ramp up efforts to diversify their supply channels and increase production capacity to mitigate future shortages.
For now, Dunkin' encourages customers to enjoy other menu items and stay tuned for updates on the doughnut supply situation. With dedicated efforts from the company and its partners, it is hoped that the beloved doughnuts will make their full return to all stores soon.
Reporting by The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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