CANTON, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts used Sept. 29, National Coffee Day, to announce that it will launch a line of Dunkin’ Donuts-branded ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee beverages in-store and in convenience stores and other retailers in early 2017.
The Coca-Cola Co. will manufacture, distribute and sell the product.
This product marks Dunkin’ Donuts’ first entry into the RTD coffee category. The agreement supports Dunkin’ Donuts’ goal of strengthening its position as a coffee authority and further extends the Dunkin’ Donuts brand into new distribution channels, it said.
“We are delighted to be working with The Coca-Cola Co., a world-class partner that will provide us with world-class consumer access by bringing ready-to-drink Dunkin’ Donuts coffee to the refrigerator cases of grocery, convenience stores and mass merchandisers, as well as inside Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants, across the United States,” said Dunkin’ Brands chairman and CEO Nigel Travis. “This new product introduction will increase consumption of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and increase our brand relevance with existing and new consumers, including many younger customers, which we believe will, in turn, drive incremental visits to our restaurants.”
Coca-Cola will produce Dunkin’ Donuts RTD coffee beverages according to Dunkin’ Donuts specifications, including using Arabica coffee blends. Coca-Cola’s network of bottling partners will sell and distribute Dunkin’ Donuts ready-to-drink beverages, which will include real milk and sugar in a variety of flavors.
Dunkin’ Donuts also announced that it would equally share with qualified U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees its net profits from the sales of RTD coffee through outlets outside of its restaurants.
“We are an almost 100% franchised company, and our mission is to drive our brand relevance and to drive the profitability of our Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees,” added Travis. “Our research has clearly shown that ready-to-drink coffee consumption is a separate occasion from the purchase of our restaurant-brewed iced coffee. That same research also shows that having a ready-to-drink coffee product builds brand loyalty. We strongly believe that this product launch is good for customers and for our franchisees.”
Dunkin’ Donuts has partnered with Coca-Cola since 2012 to serve Coca-Cola products, including soft drinks, juices, enhanced waters and energy drinks at Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in the United States and select markets around the globe.
Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is a market leader in the coffee, doughnut, bagel and muffin categories. The company has more than 12,000 restaurants in 44 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin’ Donuts is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. family of companies.
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