As a retail and consumer expert, I‘ve watched the plant-based food trend grow exponentially in recent years. One sector that‘s seen a particular boom is the dairy-free milk market. Almond milk, in particular, has become a go-to choice for consumers seeking a nutritious, lactose-free, and vegan-friendly alternative to cow‘s milk.
So it‘s no surprise that major fast food chains like Dunkin‘ Donuts have taken note of this shift in consumer preferences. In 2014, Dunkin‘ made headlines by announcing that it would be replacing its soy milk with almond milk as the primary dairy-free option at stores nationwide. But what exactly are Dunkin‘s almond milk offerings, and how do they stack up from a discerning customer‘s perspective? Let‘s take a comprehensive look.
The State of the Dairy-Free Market
First, let‘s set the stage with some context on the plant-based milk market as a whole. According to data from the Plant Based Foods Association and The Good Food Institute, plant-based milk sales grew 5% in 2019 to reach $2 billion, accounting for 40% of the total plant-based food market. Almond milk makes up the majority of dairy-free milk sales, with 63% dollar share.
This growth can be attributed to a few key factors. Firstly, a growing number of consumers are adopting plant-based diets for health, environmental, and ethical reasons. Lactose intolerance is another major driver, with an estimated 68% of the global population having some degree of difficulty digesting dairy.
Businesses have had to adapt quickly to these changing consumer needs. The fast food industry in particular has made efforts to expand vegan and dairy-free offerings in recent years. Chains like Burger King, White Castle, and Carl‘s Jr. have experimented with meat-free burgers, while coffee giants like Starbucks and Peet‘s have added a variety of plant milks to the menu.
But overhauling menus to include dairy alternatives is not without challenges, as I can attest from my experience analyzing the food service industry. Plant milks are generally more expensive than dairy milk, owing to the costs of ingredients, processing, and packaging. Almond milk costs about $3 to $4 per half-gallon retail, compared to around $2 for dairy milk. For a high-volume, low-margin business like Dunkin‘, those incremental costs can seriously eat into profits.
There are also logistical complexities when it comes to sourcing, storing, and handling non-dairy milks. Baristas need to be retrained on how to steam and froth plant milks, which behave differently than cow‘s milk. Avoiding cross-contamination is also critical for customers with dairy allergies. All of these challenges likely factored into Dunkin‘s decision-making around how to implement their dairy-free offerings.
Dunkin‘s Almond Milk Offerings
So what exactly does Dunkin‘s almond milk lineup look like? As of 2023, most (but not all) Dunkin‘ locations carry Blue Diamond Almond Breeze almond milk in both sweetened and unsweetened varieties. Customers can add almond milk to any hot or iced coffee or latte drink for a small surcharge, typically around 50 cents.
One key thing to note is that the default Dunkin‘ almond milk is the sweetened variety, which contains cane sugar. Nutritionally, a cup of the sweetened almond milk comes in at 80 calories, 2.5g fat, 12g carbohydrates (11g sugar), and 1g protein. The unsweetened version clocks in at a much lower 30 calories per cup, with 0g sugar. By comparison, a cup of whole dairy milk contains 150 calories, 8g fat, 12g carbohydrates (12g sugar), and 8g protein.
For health-conscious customers, the unsweetened almond milk may be the better choice, as it‘s much lower in calories and sugar. However, the sweetened variety may be more palatable for those used to the taste of flavored creamers and sweetened dairy milk. Dunkin‘s decision to make sweetened the default was likely a calculated one based on consumer taste preferences, but it may not align with everyone‘s dietary goals.
Another noteworthy aspect of Dunkin‘s almond milk is the ingredient list. Blue Diamond Almond Breeze contains filtered water, almonds, cane sugar, calcium carbonate, sea salt, potassium citrate, natural flavors, sunflower lecithin, gellan gum, and vitamins A, D2, and E. Some of these additives, like gellan gum and sunflower lecithin, are used stabilizers and emulsifiers to improve texture and prevent separation. Others, like calcium carbonate and the added vitamins, are for fortification to mimic the nutrient profile of dairy milk.
While these ingredients are generally recognized as safe by the FDA, some clean eating advocates prefer plant milks with minimal additives. For those customers, Dunkin‘s almond milk may not be the best choice. Making almond milk at home using just almonds and water is one way to avoid added ingredients, but of course, that requires more time and effort than stopping by Dunkin‘ for a latte on the way to work.
It‘s also important to note that while Dunkin‘s almond milk is dairy-free, it is not certified vegan. That‘s because it may come into contact with animal products like dairy milk in the restaurant setting. For strict vegans, that cross-contamination risk may be a dealbreaker. As a businessperson, though, I can understand Dunkin‘s position that completely overhauling kitchen operations to adhere to vegan preparation standards would be very costly and complex.
Customer Reactions and Comparisons
To gauge how well Dunkin‘s almond milk offerings have been received, I turned to social media and review platforms to see what real customers have to say. The overall sentiment seems to be positive, with many expressing excitement and gratitude at having a reliable dairy-free option available.
On Twitter, one user raved:
"Dunkin‘s almond milk tastes way better than Starbucks‘ and I will die on this hill."
Another shared:
"As a lactose-intolerant gal, I am forever grateful that Dunkin has almond milk so I can still enjoy my daily iced coffee."
Reddit users on the r/DunkinDonuts subreddit have also weighed in with their almond milk opinions. In a thread titled "Almond Milk Consistency?", one commenter noted:
"I love the taste of the almond milk but sometimes it curdles in iced coffee which is so gross. I wonder if it‘s an issue with that particular location not cleaning the steaming pitchers well enough between dairy and non-dairy use."
This highlights one of the challenges I mentioned earlier in terms of the learning curve for baristas in handling plant milks. Proper training and protocols are essential to prevent curdling and ensure a good drinking experience for non-dairy customers.
As for how Dunkin‘s almond milk stacks up to the competition, Starbucks is the natural point of comparison as the other coffee chain juggernaut. Nutritionally, the two brands‘ almond milks are quite similar. A cup of Starbucks‘ sweetened almond milk contains 60 calories, 4g fat, 5g carbohydrates (3g sugar), and 1g protein. The unsweetened version has 30 calories, 3g fat, 1g carbohydrates (0g sugar), and 1g protein.
Taste-wise, reviews are mixed on which chain does it better. Some Starbucks devotees find Dunkin‘s almond milk to be thinner and less creamy, while others appreciate that it has a less pronounced almond flavor that doesn‘t overpower the coffee. One area where Starbucks does have a leg up is customization – they offer both vanilla and hazelnut flavored versions of almond milk, while Dunkin‘ only has plain sweetened or unsweetened.
Where Dunkin‘ shines in comparison to Starbucks is in the value proposition. A medium hot latte with almond milk comes out to about $4 at Dunkin‘ vs. $5 or more at Starbucks. For price-sensitive consumers, that difference adds up over time. As a budget-conscious shopper myself, I appreciate that Dunkin‘ has made dairy-free options accessible at a lower price point than some of its competitors.
The Future of Plants at Dunkin‘
So what‘s next for Dunkin‘ in the ever-evolving landscape of plant-based offerings? One clue may lie in their 2019 roll-out of the Beyond Sausage Sandwich, featuring a vegan patty from Beyond Meat. The sandwich was initially introduced as a limited-time offering, but it sold so well that Dunkin‘ made it a permanent menu item and expanded the test to more than 9,000 stores.
The success of the Beyond Sausage Sandwich suggests that Dunkin‘ customers are hungry (literally) for more plant-based options. And if the recent history of dairy-free milks is any indication, we‘re likely to see even more innovation in the category in the coming years.
Oat milk, in particular, has been a rising star, with sales growing an impressive 686% in 2019 alone. Dunkin‘ has clearly taken notice of this trend, since it began offering oat milk at all US locations in 2020 through a partnership with Planet Oat. Dunkin‘ also introduced coconut milk in 2021 for its refreshers and coconut milk iced lattes.
This diversification of dairy-free offerings is a smart move on Dunkin‘s part, as it gives customers even more options to fit their dietary needs and preferences. It also insulates the company from potential supply chain issues or price fluctuations with any one type of plant milk.
Looking ahead, I wouldn‘t be surprised to see Dunkin‘ continue to expand its non-dairy lineup, perhaps with newer options like cashew milk, flax milk, or even pea milk (yes, that‘s a thing). The plant-based food market shows no signs of slowing down, and fast food chains will need to keep innovating to stay competitive.
Of course, as I mentioned before, adding new plant-based offerings is not a simple or cheap proposition for restaurants. It will be interesting to see how Dunkin‘ and its competitors balance the demands of dairy-free customers with the realities of their bottom line. Will we reach a point where dairy is no longer the default and plant milks are offered at no extra charge? Only time will tell.
Conclusion
In summary, Dunkin‘s decision to introduce almond milk back in 2014 was a major milestone in the mainstreaming of dairy-free options. By partnering with a reputable brand like Blue Diamond and offering both sweetened and unsweetened versions, Dunkin‘ has made a concerted effort to appeal to customers seeking plant-based alternatives.
While there are some potential downsides to Dunkin‘s almond milk, like the default sweetened variety and the risk of cross-contamination, the overall reception from customers has been positive. The chain has also continued to expand its dairy-free offerings with the addition of oat milk and coconut milk in recent years.
As a professional in the retail and food industry, my assessment is that Dunkin‘ has made a smart strategic move in embracing dairy-free milks. While navigating this new landscape comes with challenges and costs, the potential upside of attracting a growing cohort of plant-based customers is huge.
For consumers like myself who are interested in both nutrition and value, Dunkin‘s almond milk is a solid choice. While it may not be the cleanest or most environmentally-friendly option out there, it offers a good balance of taste, nutrition, and affordability compared to competitors.
Ultimately, the rise of almond milk at Dunkin‘ and beyond is a testament to the power of consumer demand in shaping the food industry. As more and more people embrace plant-based lifestyles, the market will continue to evolve to meet those needs. I, for one, will be watching with great interest (and perhaps a dairy-free latte in hand).
