Where are the donuts? The mysterious shortage at Dunkin’ stores in US

Are doughnuts a regular part of your morning routine with coffee? Do you often find yourself craving the ring-shaped treat?

Dunkin’ removed the ‘Donuts’ from its name a few years ago. Now, in several US states, the brand no longer has doughnuts on its shelves.

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It is worth noting that this is not the first time Dunkin’ has dealt with supply problems, as it faced a similar shortage in 2021.

This time, however, the shortage has spread beyond just a few states, with many others also reporting empty doughnut displays.

Dunkin’ Doughnut shortage: What happened?

Dunkin’ stores in Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island, Nebraska, faced empty doughnut cases last week, which led to the putting up of signs on doors and drive-thru kiosks to inform customers of the unavailability of pastries.

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Some locations, however, offered “Munchkins” (doughnut holes) on Friday.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, and nearby suburbs, store after store reported a similar doughnut shortage.

A manager at a Dunkin’ in West Omaha said on Friday that she could not reveal the cause of the issue due to instructions from Dunkin’s corporate headquarters. The manager, who remained unnamed, referred to the problem as a nationwide issue.

Despite this, checks in other regions, such as St. Joseph, Missouri, and Boston - where Dunkin’ enjoys a cult-like following - revealed no doughnut shortages.

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Dunkin’, one of the world’s largest coffee and doughnut brands, operates over 13,200 restaurants globally. Founded in Massachusetts in 1950, the company was acquired in 2020 for $11.3 billion by Atlanta-based Inspire Brands, which also owns Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings.

The franchise is beloved for its festive, year-round offerings, including seasonal drinks in autumn and winter, heart-shaped doughnuts for Valentine’s Day, and green-themed items for St. Patrick’s Day.

What led to the shortage?

Signs placed on doors and drive-thru kiosks said that the shortage was “due to a manufacturing error.”

Some employees said the issue was due to supply chain disruptions. Others told AP that delivery trucks were arriving without the doughnuts. However, employees expressed hope that supplies would be replenished soon.

Jack D’Amato, spokesperson for Inspire Brands, revealed that the shortage was due to an issue with a single supplier, affecting stores in Nebraska and other states he did not name.

He estimated that around 4% of Dunkin’s U.S. locations, which amount to more than 9,500, were impacted. D’Amato, while speaking to AP, said that the company was working to resolve the issue and had already begun restocking some locations.

Bryce Bares, a Dunkin’ franchisee in Nebraska, told the Omaha World-Herald that some doughnuts delivered by suppliers did not meet quality standards, leading him to withhold them from customers. He added that the supply partners had since addressed the issue and expected doughnuts to return to his Nebraska stores soon.

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The shortage has created challenges for franchisees, who depend on a consistent supply of doughnuts to meet customer demand. Many store owners have had to get creative, offering alternative breakfast items and advising customers to check availability before visiting, Newsweek reported.

The magazine, citing industry experts, reported that multiple factors caused the issue. Labour shortages, transportation delays, and increased demand have combined to create a “perfect storm” disrupting the supply chain.

Typically, bakery items like doughnuts are transported from central production facilities to individual stores. Regional variations in supply availability have further complicated matters, making it difficult for Dunkin’ to manage stock levels efficiently, the report said.

How people are reacting to the problem

For many customers, the idea of Dunkin’ without doughnuts has been a shock, given the close association between the brand and its iconic treats. Coffee and doughnuts are seen as inseparable for many loyal patrons.

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Tyler Raikar, an Omaha resident, stopped by a West Omaha Dunkin’ after her overnight shift as a phlebotomist, hoping to grab a coffee and a chocolate cake doughnut.

“What? No doughnuts!” she said when informed there were none. “That’s tragic!”

While she was primarily there for the coffee, Raikar admitted to being a bit disappointed and added, “Hopefully they have them soon.”

The Albuquerque Police Department’s spokesman, Gilbert Gallegos, told the Albuquerque Journal, “We nearly had to cancel our Chief’s monthly breakfast this morning because of the shortage of Dunkin’ Donuts. Fortunately, we averted tragedy when Roma Bakery came through with breakfast burritos.”

On social media, the doughnut shortage caused surprise, frustration, and even conspiracy theories.

One user wrote, “Has NOTHING to do with shortage it’s about PROFITS. Franchise locations started cutting doughnuts due to profit LOSS. More costly to produce & product is perishable so if it doesn’t sell it’s trashed at a loss of franchise owner.”

Another user wrote, “Wait, they no longer make doughnuts at the stores? That used to be their big selling point.”

A third expressed concern and said, “Monday morning is gonna be terrible,” while another commented, “They need to work on consistently having fresh doughnuts at every location.”

With inputs from agencies