If you had to choose between Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, which would you choose? Both food chains have treats and drinks that wake people up but are also super delicious. These food chains are similar in some ways but also have their differences. Investopedia.com’s Shoshana Delventha states that “Starbucks is a bigger company in terms of market capitalization and the number of stores globally.” and “Starbucks has also built a more premium brand, has stores that look more like a comfortable coffee house, has a more extensive menu, and greater product customization.” Delventhal also stated, “Dunkin’ Donuts has more competitive pricing, focusing on the middle class. In company filings and earnings conference calls, Dunkin’ Donuts’ management has described its intent to be the lowest-cost provider in the market while maintaining quality above an acceptable minimum. Because Starbucks operates its stores, it has tighter profit margins than Dunkin’ Donuts. Dunkin’ Donuts has typically had a lower capital expense burden than Starbucks.” Theforestscout.com’s Kayla Wisneski and Sophie Lawson state, “The two most popular coffee brands in the U.S., Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, are constantly being compared in order to decide which is better. The price, size, and quality of these coffee chain stores are always in competition, both grasping at the title of “The Best Coffee Shop.”
The first place I visited for the taste comparison was Dunkin’ Donuts in Logansport. Their shop is surrounded by bright colors and does not feel like a cozy coffee shop. It has more of a “store” vibe. First, I tried the Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher from Dunkin. They had options to add water or lemonade, so I tried it with lemonade. The flavor was sour and strong, but very delicious. The next drink I tried was a classic iced vanilla coffee. I asked for extra vanilla pumps because I am not a huge fan of the bitter taste of coffee. (I am a sugar with a side of coffee kind of gal!) It was not my favorite, but it was tolerable. The last drink I tried was the limited edition Sabrina Carpenter’s Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso. I liked how it was not extremely bland, but there was still some flavor.
Lastly, I moved over to Starbucks. Their shop is surrounded by neutral colors, and the setting feels like a cozy coffee shop. The first drink I tried was the Strawberry Acai Refresher. (similar to the Dunkin Strawberry Dragonfruit) I ordered mine with lemonade and no fruit inclusions. The drink was very refreshing and was not too sour from the lemonade. The next drink I tried was the strawberries and cream frappuccino. It tasted like fresh strawberries and whipped cream. The last drink I sampled was a classic iced vanilla coffee. The drink was a bit too bitter for my liking, although I asked for extra vanilla pumps. It was not my favorite, but it was again tolerable.
Overall, I enjoyed getting to sample these drinks from both coffee shops. My favorite drink from Dunkin’ had to be the Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher. My favorite drink from Starbucks was the Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino. There really was not a huge cost difference, with Dunkin being a bit less. Altogether, I rate the Dunkin drinks a 9 out of 10, and I rate the Starbucks drinks an 8.5 out of 10. Personally, I would choose Dunkin’ over Starbucks. I feel that their drinks have a little more flavor to them, because I am not a huge fan of bland drinks, although I would definitely recommend both coffee shops to anyone who has not tried either shop before.
