American coffee and doughnut brand Dunkin’ is to cease charging customers additional sums for non-dairy milk alternatives in coffee.
From 5 March 2025, customers will not be required to pay an additional $0.50 or more to add soy, oat, almond or coconut milk to their beverages, a Dunkin’ spokesperson told Fox Business. The initiative will be implemented across all Dunkin’ outlets.
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Dunkin’ stated: “Dairy alternatives will be standard options for Dunkin’ beverages at no additional cost to guests.”
The chain stated that its decision has been guided by guest feedback, adding: “This enhances Dunkin’s ability to offer guests a wide range of beverage customisations to enjoy quality Dunkin’ beverages – their way – at a great value.”
The move follows a similar initiative in 2024 by Starbucks, which also removed additional charges for non-dairy milk alternatives.
In the same year, Dunkin’ faced a legal challenge in which plaintiffs accused the company of discriminating against those with lactose intolerance by charging extra for non-dairy alternatives in coffee.
The lawsuit, however, was ruled in favour of Dunkin’ and dismissed in May 2024.
In July, Inspire Brands, the parent company of Dunkin’, signed a master franchise agreement with Swiss restaurant group QSRP to introduce Dunkin’ in France.
QSRP will exclusively develop Dunkin’ outlets nationwide, with the first Paris store set to open in 2025.
France will become Dunkin’s eleventh European market, joining Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.
