Dunkin Donuts (sometimes)

We are a donut loving family. They are our "special treat" of choice, and one of the few food items that all four of us can regularly agree on. When other families pick up cookies, or a cake to stop by for a visit, we pick up donuts. When other kids ask to go out for ice cream after swim class, graduation, or some other special event, Gavin and Isabelle are begging for donuts.


There are two Dunkin Donuts close to our house, and both kids have learned all of the roads that bring us close to them. However, on several recent occasions, a very disturbing trend has been emerging. Dunkin Donuts has been out of donuts! The signs are lit. They are open. But the voice on the other end of the drive through speaker just replies with "I am sorry, but we are out of donuts".

Imagine the scene. The giant glowing menu board of gooey-goodness. The kids joyfully screaming their favorite flavors from the back of the mini-van as we wait our turn to approach the speaker. I proudly deliver the order, fully prepared to be the hero-for-the-day in my children's eyes. Then......nothing. Dunkin DONUTS. Without any donuts. And I am left to drive away with a giant carload of disappointment.

Now, don't get me wrong. I understand business. I am sure there are hours of the day when it is not peak donut time, and it is not cost effective for the Dunkin Corporation to keep donuts sitting on the shelves. However, if the new business model is going to be that at a certain time of the day the stores transform from Dunkin Donuts, into Dunkin Coffee and Sandwiches, I would expect the consumers to be informed. We all know what time McDonald's stops serving breakfast, so why can't Dunkin Donuts offer the same courtesy?

Courtesy. Seems a small thing to ask as a consumer. Small things lead to large impact. Large as in I will find my donuts elsewhere.