CANTON, Mass., Sept. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, National
Coffee Day, Dunkin' Donuts, part of Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.
(NASDAQ: DNKN), announced that it will launch a line of Dunkin'
Donuts branded ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee beverages in
the United States in early 2017.
The Coca-Cola Company will manufacture, distribute and sell the
product.
This marks Dunkin' Donuts' first entry into the ready-to-drink
coffee category, which has enjoyed very strong growth over the past
five years and represents $2.3 billion
dollars in annual sales according to Nielsen. 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.
"We are delighted to be working with The Coca-Cola Company, 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."
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The
Coca-Cola Company will produce Dunkin' Donuts ready-to-drink coffee
beverages according to Dunkin' Donuts specifications, including
using high-quality Arabica coffee blends. Coca-Cola's extensive
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 ready-to-drink coffee through outlets outside of its
restaurants.
"We are an almost 100 percent 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 The Coca-Cola Company 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.
About Dunkin' Donuts
Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts
is America's favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked
goods. Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the hot
regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced coffee, donut, bagel and muffin
categories. Dunkin' Donuts has earned a No. 1 ranking for customer
loyalty in the coffee category by Brand
Keys for 10 years running. 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. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For
more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.
Contact:
Michelle
King
Dunkin' Brands
781-737-5200
Michelle.King@DunkinBrands.com
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SOURCE Dunkin' Donuts