Visit any Dunkin’ Donuts store nowadays and you’ll see signs that say something about how, in a blind taste test, people preferred the company’s coffee to Starbucks’. Yes, fine, the coffee is good, but have you tried the donuts? My God, are they delicious. I know it’s not “cool” to gorge on fried dough anymore, but try a plain stick, a glazed stick, and a chocolate glazed stick the next time you’re near a store.
After a failed first try stemming all the way back to 1994, Dunkin’ Donuts is attempting to re-enter the Chinese market, according to the Boston Globe. Its first foray failed in large part to poor business partnerships and a menu that didn’t cater to Chinese tastes. Given the 1.3 billion potential customers in China, though, Dunkin’ has revamped its strategy, altered its menu, and found an experienced local partner.
The first order of business was to “lower the sugar level in its traditional pastries like chocolate doughnuts to appeal to the Chinese, who prefer their desserts less sweet than Americans do.” It then worked up some menu items based on local tastes, “like mochi rings, chewy treats made of glutinous rice that are fried in oil, and marinated lamb sandwiches.” Dunkin’ and Chinese partner Mercuries & Associates did copious consumer testing to make sure everything appealed to local tastes.
The company is also finding it a bit easier to push coffee in China now that Starbucks has been there since 1999. Having to compete with Starbucks might be Dunkin’ Donuts’ biggest hurdle, though, as the Seattle-based coffee chain already has over 300 stores up and running. Be that as it may, Dunkin’ is planning to open 100 stores in Shanghai alone over the next decade, along with 50 stores in the Guangdong region.
[Thanks for the tip, Josh!]
The donuts taste like they’re plastic. Although it is fun to see chain restaurants from here written in another laguage. When I went to Japan, Denny’s was cool.
Forget China. They need to bring those bad boys to Ireland. You can NOT get a good doughnut here. Before the Simpson’s most Irish people didn’t know much about doughnuts. But, thanks to good ole’ Homer J they know about them now and would totally love them.
I am American and have been living here since 2004. We have McDonald’s, KFC, Subway and even Starbucks but no Dunkin Doughnuts. I would even love a Krispy Kreme I don’t care.
JUST GIVE ME A FLIPPIN DOUGHNUT NOW!!!
Sorry for yelling. It’s late on Friday afternoon and I’m feeling a bit peckish.
WHAT? No doughnuts in Ireland? Move!
Seriously?!? How is that they can open DDs in China, but can’t seem to open any in Los Angeles. How about a little compassion for all of us transplanted Northeastern folks that are jonesing for a real donut and cup of coffee. Please, Please, Please!
I’d be really interested to see how Dunkin’ Donuts would do in LA. I bet people would scoff at first but eventually they’d come around. If it makes you feel any better, you can get a subscription to the coffee and have it delivered for cheaper than you can get it in the grocery store…
https://www.dunkindonuts.com/delivery/
Now if only they’d start a donut subscription.
I love DD and they are hard to find in Tn I also love the coffee put a store in manchester or winchester Tn