Susan McCrory, WBUR
Looks like the Marketing and PR Departments of Dunkin’ Donuts have been working over-time of late. What with Tim Hortons, Inc. of Canada strategically inserting itself into Penn Station and Times Square, the folks at Dunkin’ “took to the streets” to pass out dollar-off coupons. Here in some New England regions, DD has launched a perks program that gives its most loyal customers the opportunity to save on gas and win sports experiences, among other niceties. I am not a donut-eater myself. I therefore wonder if I would actually partake in a taste test, as has been happening informally on the streets of New York, were someone from, say, the Boston Herald, to stop and hand me a Hortons “Timbit” and ask me to compare it to a Munchkin. My own predilection for bagels and breads aside, I wonder if New England really can handle another donut- and coffee-making chain.
8 responses so far ↓
pobept // July 21, 2009 at 10:34 am
Not being a police officer or fat, I don’t eat donuts. When I drink coffee I want ‘real’ coffee and not something with a cute name and can not be identified as coffee by taste or looks!
Kristen // July 21, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I had never been to a Tim Horton’s until last summer, when we took a road trip through Nova Scotia. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and found the quality of their baked goods well above that of DD’s. Their coffee was better as well, but not quite as high octane as I generally like.
Adam Gaffin // July 21, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Hah, Krispy Kreme tried and failed. But Tim Hortons seems more like a direct DD competitor – still, if they tried to move here en masse (they actually have a ton of stores around Providence), I bet the only people who would get hurt would be Honey Dew.
Dan // July 21, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I love Tim Horton’s much more than Dunkin’ Donuts. Better coffee and maple frosted donuts? Sign me up for that! I try to hit up the Tim’s in CT or RI whenever I swing through; however, I was in NYC this weekend and got to try out the Tim Horton’s on 34th and 7th. Whoa boy was it terrible! The 2 employees couldn’t even get an ice coffee made and once I got it it was pretty weak. Plus, very limited selection of other things. I’m all for Tim Horton’s expanding, but don’t sacrifice quality to do it.
Leslie // July 21, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Although Dunkin Donuts’ name implies that they are the go-to spot for doughnuts, most people go there for coffee. Doughnut shops are not in competition with Dunks as much as coffee shops would be.
@kengeorge // July 21, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Like Kristen my first experience with Tim Hortons was during a visit to Nova Scotia.
Don’t recall much about the donuts. Do remember their thimble-sized “”small” coffee.
I tend to agree with Adam that Honey Dew stands more to loose if TH should muscle into New England.
Jim // July 22, 2009 at 4:20 am
The ONLY donut shops worth visiting are the small locally owned, bake on the premises, the way it used to be, donut shops. They are few and that makes donut eating a rare event in my family.
@kengeorge // July 22, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Jim: You mean donuts like these?