Every coffee lover knows about the decades-long competition between Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, and no matter if they are a fan of either, everyone seems to have their preference.
Although Dunkin’ was founded in 1950, nearly 21 years before Starbucks, the Seattle-based company quickly took over the coffee market, becoming the world’s largest coffee shop chain in the U.S. and leaving its senior competitor in the dust.
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The two companies used to be widely different, with Dunkin’ dominating the donut market and Starbucks ruling the coffee sector. However, as the years have gone by, these companies have become increasingly similar, copying each other’s business strategies, from their menu offerings to customizations to expanding into the café food category.
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It wasn’t that long ago that Dunkin’ created a second Super Bowl commercial, referencing and making fun of a competitor that looked incredibly similar to Starbucks.
Workers packaging donuts at a Dunkin’ Donuts location.
Dunkin’ announces it will no longer charge customers extra for its non-dairy milk substitutes
Dunkin’ takes its ‘America runs on Dunkin’ slogan very seriously, and it has made yet another business move to compete against one of its biggest rivals to take over its throne.
Dunkin’ announced that starting Mar. 5, it will no longer charge customers extra for getting any non-dairy milk substitutes in its coffee beverages.
This sudden move comes nearly four months after Starbucks (SBUX) made the same move, announcing it would remove extra fees for non-dairy milk alternatives in all U.S. locations.
Related: Starbucks offers free coffee after Dunkin’ Super Bowl LIX ad slam
Dunkin’ claims customer feedback was the main factor guiding this decision. Although it doesn’t explicitly mention its past lawsuit filed by customers, it seems more likely that Starbucks’ announcement could’ve pushed it to join this free non-dairy substitute trend.
In December 2023, a group of customers filed a class action lawsuit against Dunkin’ for charging extra for non-dairy milk substitutions. The plaintiffs claimed the company’s up-charge violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because it discriminated against people who cannot consume dairy due to allergies or dietary restrictions. The lawsuit was dismissed in May 2024, with the judge taking Dunkin’s side.
Dunkin’ obtains inspiration from other fast-food companies to grow
Although Starbucks is Dunkin’s biggest rival, the Massachusetts-born company has also obtained menu item inspirations that seem mysteriously similar to other fast-food chains, and it goes back multiple decades.
McDonald’s (MCD) launched the Egg McMuffin nationwide in 1972. Although donuts have been Dunkin’s signature food item, 25 years later, the chain added breakfast sandwiches to its permanent menu as well.
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Most recently, Dunkin’ decided to double down and join the value meal wars by launching a limited-time new $6 DunKings meal deal earlier this month.
The DunKings meal deal is available all day despite being a breakfast-focused addition. It includes a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich, hash browns, and a medium hot or iced coffee, all packed in a box decorated with Dunkin’s colors and fun stickers.
This new meal deal is arguably very similar to the infamous McDonald’s Happy Meal. Although the McDonald’s version doesn’t contain any breakfast items, it also includes a beverage, a fried potato-based item, and a sandwhich, and it’s packaged in a small box themed with the fast-food chain’s colors and signature arches.
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