Can Dunkin’ Donuts Change Your Coffee Cravings?

The Dunkin’ Donuts chain was founded in Massachusetts, where people reportedly like to drink iced coffee all year around, no matter how cold it is outside. That habit may make sense to people in that area of the country, but some coffee drinkers elsewhere aren’t so sure about switching from a warm beverage to something cold. However, if Dunkin’ Donuts has its way, the way Americans prefer to have their coffee may change in a big way.

The price difference is likely one of the reasons why Dunkin’ Donuts wants to encourage a craving for cold stuff. When comparing hot coffee to the iced version, the latter is almost always more. That’s even more likely when the beverage has flavor added to it, or comes in a blended variety like Starbucks’ Frappuccino drinks.

Although Dunkin’ Donuts refused to disclose the percentage of sales that come from iced beverages versus warm ones, CEO Nigel Travis said it’s “on the rise” and that “the migration is happening” when he was quoted in an article from The Associated Press that was picked up by dozens of local news outlets.

Travis also noted hpw people who buy coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts generally start by getting hot coffee first, and then switch over to an iced version. The United Kingdom native admits he never tried iced coffee before moving to the United States. That means he certainly has some primary experience to offer in terms of knowing how to get people willing to try something new.

Sometime in the coming months, Dunkin’ Donuts will open its first store in California. That may partially inspire people to sip cold beverages since the weather there is usually warmer all year around. It has also been said the state is home to many people who originated in the Northeast and then moved over to the West Coast. If those people are already used to drinking caffeinated beverages cold, as was suggested earlier, maybe they can help influence people who aren’t so sure about changing what’s familiar.

Representatives from Dunkin’ Donuts have also been touring around the United States and giving out free drink samples that taste more like desserts than your usual cup of joe. Currently, Dunkin’ Donuts is offering Mint Chocolate Chip, Jamoca Almond Fudge and Cookie Dough versions in hopes of convincing steadfast hot coffee drinkers to switch over to iced beverages and never go back. Dunkin’ Donuts regularly offers discounts on those, and other cool coffees, so even if the free samples aren’t available where you live, it still may be possible to save a money while treating your taste buds to something different.

It’s probably too soon to say whether or not Dunkin’ Donuts will inspire a mass trend where a greater number of people eventually prefer getting their caffeine fixes by sipping something cold, but the chain is certainly putting forth a valiant effort to try.