Why Dunkin Donuts’ Dunkalatte Was Discontinued

Dunkin’s Fall Buzz: The Rise and Fall of the Dunkalatte

When Dunkin’ Donuts rolls out new menu items, it’s a cause for celebration for its loyal fans. But the recent debut of the Dunkalatte, released on August 28, 2024, as part of Dunkin’s fall menu, stirred up more excitement than expected—and a bit of heartbreak too. Inspired by Rhode Island’s beloved coffee milk, this drink quickly became the must-have item for Dunkin’ enthusiasts. However, its overwhelming popularity turned into its undoing. By late September, fans noticed the Dunkalatte was becoming scarce, and by early November, it seemed to have disappeared entirely.

So, what happened? The Dunkalatte’s success created a logistical nightmare. According to employee chatter on the Dunkin’ subreddit, the warehouse ran out of the coffee milk syrup essential for the drink. Once stores used their stock, there was no way to meet the soaring demand. Heidi Curry, Dunkin’s head of beverage culinary innovation, explained to Food and Wine that the Dunkalatte was always meant to be a limited-time item. However, she hinted at the possibility of its return in 2025, leaving fans to hold on to hope for another chance to sip their new favorite fall drink.

Dunkin’ lovers are left to fill the Dunkalatte-shaped void in their lives. The good news? You can recreate the drink at home with a simple coffee syrup and a little creativity. While it’s not quite the same as grabbing it at your local Dunkin’, it’s a great way to channel the magic of fall while waiting for its potential comeback……….[read more]

Rising Dough

What lessons about supply and demand can businesses and marketers take from the Dunkalatte’s runaway success, and how might Dunkin’ have approached this launch differently to meet both consumer demand and company resources?