Hargreaves 1

Lydia Hargreaves

Mr Pace

English

07 December 2023

Starbucks Vs. Dunkin

Data has proven that: “Starbucks has built a more premium brand than Dunkin Donuts”

(Starbucks vs. Dunkin’). When it comes to the debate between Starbucks or Dunkin, many

would agree that Starbucks is the better choice. Starbucks is superior to Dunkin Donuts because

of its wider variety of drink choices, product customization, higher quality ingredients and cafes.

Starbucks surpasses Dunkin with its more expansive menu and higher quality ingredients.

Starbucks offers a much wider variety of drink customizations than Dunkin, “With more than

170,000 ways to customize beverages at Starbucks® stores, customers can create a favorite drink

that fits their lifestyle” (Customizing Beverages at Starbucks). Since there are many different

ways to customize a drink at Starbucks, customers are able to satisfy their personal preferences.

Product customizations are advantageous to the success of any business since they guarantee that

customers get their goods in the way that they like it. Analysis of the ingredients that Starbucks

uses in their products shows that they are also of higher quality than those used by Dunkin

Donuts: “When it comes to quality, Starbucks is the clear winner. Their coffee is always fresh

and flavorful, and they offer a wide variety of specialty blends. Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, on the

other hand, can be hit or miss” (Starbucks Or Dunkin Coffee Healthier?). When comparing

popular coffee choices, it becomes clear that Starbucks and Dunkin have different nutritional
 Hargreaves 2

values: “Dunkin Donuts coffee generally has more calories and fat than Starbucks coffee”

(Starbucks Or Dunkin Coffee Healthier?). Being higher in calories and fat logically makes the

products at Dunkin inferior in nutrition quality in comparison to Starbucks. Starbucks also has

food choices on their menu that are slightly healthier than others, such as their protein boxes and

egg bites. Overall, most foods and drinks from Starbucks are of higher quality and nutrition than

products sold at Dunkin.

Some may believe that Dunkin Donuts is the better option since it is less expensive than

Starbucks. Although it is true that Starbucks is more expensive than Dunkin Donuts, products at

Starbucks are also of higher quality than products at Dunkin which makes it worth paying extra.

Just as buying a high end vehicle is more expensive but offers better performance and lifetime,

choosing Starbucks over Dunkin Donuts may be more expensive but guarantees better product

quality. Many of the ingredients used at Starbucks are imported from “Latin America, Africa and

Asia / Pacific” (The Coffee Belt). Imported ingredients raise the pricing at Starbucks, but it also

results in better goods in comparison to Dunkin Donuts since the quality of imported ingredients

is always tested and assured, “We responsibly source, roast and blend coffees from each of these

three regions to bring you unique coffees” (The Coffee Belt). Because most consumers are more

likely to choose the location with superior ingredients, ensuring customers receive high quality

ingredients contributes to Starbucks’ success. Another reason Starbucks has higher prices than

Dunkin is because Starbucks has been putting in effort to renovate their cafes and increase their

employees wages for better efficiency, “Starbucks’ reinvention plan also entails revamping some

of its stores, it says, to improve the day-to-day of its workers and make things speedier and more

efficient, which requires investment” (Why Your $7 Latte is $7). In order to succeed in doing so,
 Hargreaves 3

they increased the prices of their products. Even though it may be unappealing that Starbucks is

more expensive than Dunkin Donuts, the increased prices will ultimately benefit the customers.

Employees will work more productively so customers will receive their drinks faster and

Starbucks cafes will be nicer which improves the overall experience of visiting Starbucks and

makes it worth the cost. Starbucks is more expensive than Dunkin Donuts due to its higher

quality ingredients and effort to achieve efficient employees and appealing cafes.

Starbucks outperforms Dunkin Donuts due to its greater selection of drinks, ability to

customize products, use of premium ingredients and pleasant cafes. The majority of the food and

beverages served at Starbucks are cleaner and of better quality than those found at Dunkin.

Despite being more costly than Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks is worth it because of its superior

products, well trained staff, and aesthetically pleasing locations.

 Hargreaves 4

Works Cited

Delventhal, Shoshanna. “Starbucks vs. Dunkin’: What’s the Difference?” Investopedia,

Investopedia,

www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/120215/starbucks-vs-dunkin-donuts-comparing-

business-models.asp#:~:text=Starbucks%20has%20built%20a%20more,the%20side%20

of%20their%20cup. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.

“Is Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Healthier? - Thecommonscafe.” The Commons,

www.thecommonscafe.com/is-starbucks-or-dunkin-donuts-coffee-healthier/. Accessed 7

Dec. 2023.

“Starbucks Stories.” Customizing Beverages at Starbucks® Stores,

stories.starbucks.com/uploads/2020/08/Starbucks-Beverage-Health-and-Wellness-Fact-S

heet-August-2020.pdf. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Stewart, Emily. “Why Your $7 Latte Is $7.” Vox, 2 Oct. 2023,

www.vox.com/money/23896266/latte-price-pumpkin-spice-starbucks-coffee-inflation.

“Where Does Coffee Come From?” Starbucks® Coffee At Home,

www.starbucksathome.com/ca/en-ca/story/where-does-coffee-comes#:~:text=The%20Co
 Hargreaves 5

ffee%20Belt%20is%20divided,from%20where%20it%20comes%20from. Accessed 6

Dec. 2023.