"Dunkin Donuts" news and stories

Love the jolt of a good old Mountain Dew? Then you're going to flip for the new very yellow, very slushy Dunkin' Donuts' Mountain Dew Coolatta, coming in May.

But before you plan a summer-long date with a poolside Dew-latta, you might want to check out USA Today's round-up of the other new (and slightly weird) spring and summer frozen drinks, from fruity Slushees to lemonade chillers.

Oreo cookie fans, heads up: The Sonic Double Stuf Oreo Blast (also being introduced in May) is made with ice cream that's made with the cookie's cream filling. No twisting apart your chocolatey outsides anymore to get to the middle. We're in.

Get all the details at USA Today.

It looks like America's favorite place for burgers may be on its way to becoming America's favorite place for cappuccinos.

Master strategists overseeing the nation's coffee wars will likely be pouring over the results of a recent independent study that finds those who get their (ever fancier) morning cup of joe from McDonald's are more loyal to the Golden Arches than coffee drinkers who visit rivals Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts.

As the Wall Street Journal reports, an independent market research firm surveyed 15,000 customers. Of those that frequent either Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts most often for their daily brew, 53 percent said that they also sneak off to other competing chains during the course of a month, while only 29 percent of respondents who identified McDonald's as their primary source of hot java said the same.

Used to be, Dunkin' Donuts was for one thing: doughnuts. But in recent years the chain has become known for above-average coffee, iced coffee drinks, and even breakfast sandwiches. Their latest venture, rolled out yesterday, is a line of inexpensive snacks designed to boost sales between mealtimes.

The menu, called "Hearty Snacks," features the chain's bagel twists, available in cheddar cheese or cinnamon raisin, for $1.39 each, reports the Nation's Restaurant News. But they're also offering something more suited to Domino's than Dunkin': stuffed breadsticks. Made with pizza dough, the breadsticks come in two flavors: cheeseburger and pepperoni and cheese. They'll set you back $1.59. Can't decide on a doughnut? Try one of their new apple pies instead for $1.29.

Execs hope the new menu items will spur sales -- Dunkin' Brands Inc. cited a 2010 report from Technomic Inc. that found 55 percent of consumers snack at least once a day and that 21 percent of consumers say they are now snacking more frequently than they were two years ago, reports NRN.

Makes good business sense, we get it. But...aren't doughnuts snacks?

This morning, Dunkin' Donuts introduced their biggest breakfast sandwich yet: The Big 'N Toasty. According to John Costello, Chief Global Customer and Marketing Officer at Dunkin' Brands, the Big 'N Toasty Breakfast Sandwich is targeted at those who need more than a bowl of cereal in the morning. "At Dunkin' Donuts, we realize that people on-the-go at times crave heartier foods to start their day," he says. "With the Big 'N Toasty Breakfast Sandwich, Dunkin' Donuts can satisfy even the biggest appetites with a fulfilling, portable breakfast at an affordable price," he said. Here's how it rates:

The Claims: The Big "N Toasty Breakfast Sandwich features two peppered fried eggs, four slices of cherrywood smoked bacon and a slice of American cheese, all packed between two thick slices of Texas toast -- the first sandwich to feature this thick-sliced bread.

The Price: $3.29 (prices may vary depending on location.)

Doughnut lovers, rejoice: Dunkin' Donuts is ringing in the month of love with three new chocolate doughnuts. Yes, you're thinking, "I've had chocolate doughnuts at Dunkin' before, what's the big deal?" Here's the twist -- these are chocolate yeast donuts. And that's a big deal in the doughnut world -- the chain is the first in the country to offer them.

Meet your new doughnuts, released today as part of the chain's "Chocolate Lovers Month":

• Cocoa Confetti: a chocolate yeast ring, topped with chocolate icing and rainbow sprinkles.
• Reverse Boston Kreme: a chocolate yeast shell filled with chocolate Bavarian Kreme and topped with vanilla icing.
• Cocoa Kreme Puff: a sugared chocolate yeast shell filled with vanilla butter cream.

We were lucky enough to get ahold of the new treats. After the jump, our review -- along with more photos.