Craving a Dunkin’ doughnut? You might be out of luck. America runs on Dunkin’, as the saying goes, but lately, that run might come to a screeching halt due to a surprising doughnut drought plaguing locations across the U.S. While shelves typically overflow with glazed, jelly-filled, and Boston Kreme delights, customers have been met with empty displays and disappointed sighs. So, what’s behind the sudden scarcity? Is there a doughnut-shaped conspiracy afoot? Keep reading to discover why your favorite Dunkin’ treat might be missing in action.
What states are affected by the Dunkin’ doughnuts shortage?
Dunkin’ stores across multiple states have grappled with a surprising doughnut shortage, disappointing customers. In Nebraska, locations in Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island reported empty doughnut cases on Thursday and Friday. Signs posted on store doors and drive-thru kiosks informed patrons that pastries were unavailable due to a “manufacturing error.” However, some stores managed to offer “Munchkins” (doughnut holes) on Friday as a partial alternative.
Bryce Bares, owner of multiple Dunkin’ franchises, told the Omaha World-Herald that some of his stores received products from suppliers that did not meet his quality standards. He decided not to serve these products to customers. However, Bares assured the newspaper that the supply partners had corrected the issue, and he expected his Nebraska locations to be fully stocked with doughnuts again soon
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, and nearby suburbs, the doughnut drought was also widely reported. Store employees cited various reasons for the shortage, including supply chain disruptions and delivery trucks arriving without the chain’s signature product. Despite the setback, many employees expressed optimism, hoping for restocked supplies by the following week.
A manager at a Dunkin’ store in West Omaha confirmed Friday that the shortage is a national issue but declined to provide additional details, attributing the lack of information to directives from Dunkin’s corporate headquarters.
Interestingly, checks at locations in other areas, such as St. Joseph, Missouri, and Boston—where Dunkin’ enjoys an almost cult-like status—showed no signs of doughnut shortages, raising questions about the scope and cause of the problem.
What really caused the Dunkin’ doughnuts shortage?
Jack D’Amato, a spokesperson for Inspire Brands (owner of Dunkin’), attributed the doughnut shortage to an issue with a single supplier. He confirmed that the problem affected stores in Nebraska and a few other states, though he did not specify which ones. According to D’Amato, approximately 4% of Dunkin’s more than 9,500 U.S. locations were impacted.
While the exact nature of the issue and the full scope of affected stores remain under investigation, D’Amato assured customers that efforts to restock doughnuts have already begun in some locations.
Dunkin’ is one of the world’s largest coffee and doughnut brands, operating over 13,200 restaurants globally. Founded in Massachusetts in 1950, the company announced in 2018 that it would drop “Donuts” from its name to emphasize its coffee and beverage offerings, which account for the majority of its sales. Fast-forward to 2020, it was purchased for $11.3 billion by Inspire Brands, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that also owns Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings.