Dunkin' Brands Group has chosen Coca-Cola over rival Pepsi as the exclusive beverage of its brands, Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.
The Canton, Mass., restaurateur said Monday that Coke products will roll out immediately to the more than 9,400 U.S. Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins ice cream locations. The beverages should be in all stores by August.
Pepsi had held Dunkin' Brands exclusive contract until the announcement. Dunkin' revealed that it was seeking requests for proposals for its beverage business last October, industry publication Beverage Digest reported.
Its two brands serve some fountain drinks, but most of their focus is on sales of carbonated and non-carbonated bottled drinks, according to Beverage Digest.
“We believe our customers will be thrilled to learn that all their favorite Coca-Cola products, from soft drinks to juices, to enhanced waters and energy drinks, will now be available at Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins," John Costello, chief global marketing and innovation officer for Dunkin’ Brands, said in a statement. "This partnership is all about giving our customers an even greater array of outstanding beverage choices.”
Chris Lowe, president of Foodservice and On-Premise for Coca-Cola Refreshments, said, “We look forward to bringing a great selection of Coca-Cola products to Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins customers and to leveraging our joint marketing capabilities to create innovative, engaging promotions designed to drive beverage sales and growth at both restaurant chains.”
The Coke-Dunkin' deal comes after Papa John's Pizza announced in November that it was ending its exclusive 25-year relationship with Coca-Cola and would start serving Pepsi in U.S. stores this past January.
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