Does the Southern upstart measure up against the home-grown favorite?
by Christine Celli and Scott Roberto
For
those who aren’t counting carbs, doughnuts are a breakfast delight that have
been popular for more than a century. Here in Boston, we’ve preferred to get
our morning snack at Dunkin’ Donuts since it opened its first shop in nearby
Quincy in 1950. But with the arrival of the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Krispy Kreme—which
recently opened its first Boston shop at the Prudential Center—the local doughnut
king finally has some competition. In this comparison, we measure the two heavyweights
against one another, awarding 5 points per category.
- HISTORY: Dunkin’ Donuts: Established in
1950. Krispy Kreme: Established in 1937. Score: 5 points to KK.
- VARIETY: DD: 52 kinds of doughnuts, as well
as a large selection of muffins, bagels, scones and breakfast sandwiches. KK: Almost
30 kinds of doughnuts. Score: 5 to DD.
- HOME BASE: DD: Randolph, Massachusetts. KK:
Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Score: In a bit of shameless provincialism, 5 to
DD.
- LOCATIONS: DD: More than 5,500 in 32 countries.
KK: About 430 locations in
5 countries. Score: 5 to DD.
-
ENTERTAINMENT
VALUE: DD: Features TVs tuned to CNN so you can watch the news while
you wait. KK: Its famed “doughnut theater” allows you to watch its doughnuts
as they’re made. Score: 5 to KK.
- SIGNATURE DOUGHNUT: DD: The “Dunkin’
Donut,” an old-fashioned, hand-rolled treat with a handle for easy dipping,
has been discontinued in a bow to automation. KK: Their fresh-baked glazed doughnut
is sugar heaven. Score: 5 to KK.
- COFFEE: DD: With nearly 2 million cups served
a day, it’s got to be good. And they have espresso drinks, chai and hot chocolate,
too. KK: They’ve improved their coffee and added espresso drinks, but most
customers still stick with just doughnuts. Score: 5 to DD.
- FRESHNESS: DD: As far as we can tell from its
old “Time to make the doughnuts” ad campaign, DD bakes a fresh batch
every morning. KK: According to its famed “Hot Doughnuts Now” sign,
you can bank on munching a hot, just-out-of-the-oven glazed doughnut several times
a day. Score: 5 to KK.
FINAL TALLY: As you can see, our “scientific”
scoring system has the local incumbent in a dead heat with the Southern interloper
with a score of 20 to 20. We’ll let your own taste buds be the ultimate tie-breaker.