Dunkin’ Donuts customers now have a refreshing new way to quench their thirst this summer, as the world’s largest coffee and baked goods chain launches Freshly Brewed Iced Tea. Available made-to-order, unsweetened or sweetened in three flavors (original, raspberry, and peach) Dunkin’ Donuts’ new Iced Teas provide a crisp, cold and convenient beverage alternative for busy people on the go. With five calories per 16 ounce cup, Dunkin’ Donuts’ unsweetened Iced Teas also offer customers a healthier beverage option.
Beginning today, Dunkin’ Donuts’ Iced Teas will be available in restaurants throughout New England and upstate New York. Once only a regional favorite of the South, iced tea is fast becoming one of America’s favorite, non-carbonated thirst-quenchers.
According to year-end April 2007 data from The NPD Group CREST Services, quick service restaurants in the U.S. sold 2.3 billion servings of iced tea, which is an 8 percent increase from the previous year.
Additionally, according to year-end April 2007 data from the NPD Group CREST Services, 5 percent of all quick service restaurant occasions included an iced tea, and non-carbonated soft drink servings at quick service restaurants rose 3 percent, compared with a 2 percent decline in the overall soft drink category.
In 2007, Dunkin’ Donuts expects to serve more than 10 million lemon wedges with its Iced Tea, which equates to more than one million individual lemons.
“Dunkin’ Donuts is continuously introducing exciting menu items for customers to enjoy throughout the day, and we believe Iced Tea is a perfect addition to our line of cold beverages” said Robert Rodriguez, Dunkin’ Donuts brand president. “As we continue our growth throughout the country, we are excited that Dunkin’ Donuts is now the place where busy people can keep themselves running with delicious, freshly brewed Iced Teas, made-to-order with innovative flavors that are fast, fresh and affordable.”
The launch of new Iced Teas coincides with the rollout of Dunkin’ Donuts’ expansion program. The company is expanding in existing markets while entering new cities throughout the Southern and Western U.S., with plans to ultimately triple the number of Dunkin’ Donuts franchise restaurants in the country to 15,000 by 2020. In recent months, Dunkin’ Donuts has launched several new menu items, such as the Sausage Supreme Omelet, White Hot Chocolate, French Toast Twists, and a line of freshly baked, jumbo cookies.
Suggested retail prices for Iced Teas are: small-$1.69; medium-$1.89; large-$2.09.
