Fact 1: The Original Name
Dunkin' that many coffee lovers worldwide know and love was originally named Open Kettle; it wasn't until 1950 that the founder, William Rosenburg, decided to rename it as Dunkin' Donuts, a name that stuck for almost seven decades. Today, it is widely famous as Dunkin'.
Fact 2: The Birthplace of Dunkin'
Quincy, Massachusetts, is where the first Dunkin' was established by William Rosenburg in 1948. Today, it's a global franchise with thousands of outlets across the globe, but it all started from this first store in the northeastern part of the U.S.
Fact 3: Innovation with the Doughnut Breakfast Sandwich
Dunkin' introduced the Doughnut Breakfast Sandwich in 2013, which was a unique, calorie-loaded combination of bacon slices and a pepper fried egg sandwiched between a glazed doughnut. This fantastical fusion of breakfast favorites soon became widely popular.
Fact 4: Largest Store Count in New York City
New York City holds the distinction of being home to the most Dunkin' stores compared to any other city in the world, with over 500 outlets spread across the Five Boroughs.
Fact 5: The Theme Song
Dunkin’s catchy theme song, "America Runs on Dunkin’" might sound like it has always been there, but it wasn’t introduced until 2006. Its popularity was so far-reaching that it’s now practically equated with the brand.
Fact 6: The Dunkin’ Donuts Mascot
Dunkin' once had a mascot named Dunkie, an anthropomorphic doughnut, who was introduced with the tagline, "Compare, But You Can't Equal A Dunkin’ Donut."
Fact 7: An Institution in Thailand
Thailand ranks as the country with the highest number of Dunkin’ outlets outside the U.S - surprisingly more than Canada or the UK! More interestingly, Thailand's Dunkin' is known for its unique shrimp doughnut, a blend of sweet and savory.
Fact 8: The Universal Doughnut
Dunkin' was serving varieties of doughnuts long before it became a trend. It is the first-ever global brand that sold a wide spectrum of doughnut flavors, with more than 52 varieties available as far back as the 1950s.
Fact 9: Coffee Reigns Supreme
Despite the name 'Dunkin' Donuts,' the company sells more coffee than doughnuts, which prompted the rebranding from 'Dunkin' Donuts' to 'Dunkin'' in 2018 - emphasizing that they’re not just about the doughnuts.
Fact 10: Munchkins’ Origin
Munchkins, the wildly popular bite-sized treats that became a staple Dunkin’ offering, were introduced in the 1970s. They were created to reduce doughnut dough waste.
Fact 11: Dunkin’ at the Queen’s Palace!
Dunkin', while primarily an American brand, has patented its Royal Munchkin. This Munchkin, basically a doughnut hole, can only be made and sold if approved by the British royal family.
Fact 12: Dunkin’s Global Reach
Dunkin' has a strong global presence, with more than 12,000 locations in 36 countries. From Saudi Arabia and South Korea to Russia and Australia, Dunkin' has truly gone international.
Fact 13: The DD Card
Dunkin’ introduced the DD (Dunkin’ Donuts) Card in 2006. It’s a rechargeable stored-value card that customers can use to purchase any product at participating Dunkin' outlets.
Fact 14: The Dunk Mobile
In 2007, Dunkin' unveiled its fuel-efficient, concept mobile cafe called the Dunk Mobile. It’s a truck that not only serves coffee but also acts as a mobile billboard for the brand.
Fact 15: Partnership with Liverpool FC
In 2014, Dunkin' Donuts became the official coffee, tea and bakery partner of Liverpool Football Club, one of the most famous football clubs in the English Premier League.
Fact 16: The Dunk-chain
In 2018, Dunkin’ began working on a blockchain-based pilot to manage its customer rewards program, DD Perks, marking one of the early adopters of blockchain technology in the food & beverage industry.
Fact 17: First Drive-Thru Restaurant
In 2018, Dunkin' opened its first drive-thru restaurant in Quincy, Massachusetts. This outlet allowed customers to make orders through a digital kiosk, improving customer convenience significantly.
Fact 18: Dunkin’s Promise
Dunkin’s goal has always been to keep America running, and they lived up to it even during the COVID-19 pandemic by donating $1.25 million in emergency funding for health and hunger relief to communities across the country.
Fact 19: The Plant Based Sausage Sandwich
Venturing into plant-based food, Dunkin' introduced a Beyond Sausage Sandwich to its menu in 2019, partnering with LA-based producer Beyond Meat, taking a huge leap towards environmentally-conscious food practices.
Fact 20: Dunkin' Joy In Childhood Foundation
Dunkin' has a philanthropic foundation known as Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation. It provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness, and since 2006, it has granted more than $26 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country.