Dunkin’ is celebrating June 7, National Doughnut Day, by handing out a free doughnuts with every beverage purchase on that day and also has released a merchandise line available at shopdunkin.com.
Additionally, the chain of more than 13,200 locations globally has enlisted entertainer Jelly Roll to promote the celebration with a minute-long video on TikTok and Instagram.
In the video, the performer shows his own strategies for dunking his favorite doughnuts.
The new merch includes a pink “Jelly” hoodie and a white “Grab Me a Glazed” hoodie, both for $40, and two T-shirts with pictures of doughnuts on them that are $30 each.
Additionally, Dunkin’ recently teamed up with sponge company Scrub Daddy to offer doughnut-shaped sponges for $9.98 each via the Scrub Daddy web site.
“No one loves donuts and coffee more than Dunkin’ and our amazing customers,” Dunkin’ vice president of category management Beth Turenne said in a statement. “National Donut Day is a special day for us because it’s all about celebrating that love and obsession. Plus, we get to share that joy by giving away millions of free donuts.”
Dunkin’, which changed its name from Dunkin’ Donuts in 2018, said it sells more than two million doughnuts and Munchkins doughnut holes annually.
And consumers continue to enjoy doughnuts too, according to a recent study by supplier Rich Products in collaboration with research firm Datassential. It found that 56% of consumers buy doughnuts at least once a month, and more than 33% buy them multiple times a month. Probably in response, doughnuts' appearance on menu has increased by 47% over the past 10 years. The favorite doughnuts of 60% of consumers is the traditional glazed variety, while 37% prefer them to be frosted, dipped or stuffed with a creamy filling.
The Jelly Roll video is just the latest Dunkin’ collaboration with celebrities. The chain, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Inspire Brands, ran an ad during the Super Bowl featuring Ben Affleck, who has appeared in numerous Dunkin’ commercials in recent years, including one with rapper Ice Spice, in a band called the DunKings with fellow actor Matt Damon and football legend Tom Brady failing to impress Affleck’s wife, Jennifer Lopez.
On a smaller scale, Dunkin’ has featured lifestyle and etiquette expert Martha Stewart, in videos on social media making an espresso Martini and illustrating how to shake an iced beverage politely.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]
