10 million Americans drink coffee daily, including me. It seems that every week I get into an argument with at least one of my friends over which is better: Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. Although Dunkin is cheeper, I will forever follow Starbucks, no matter what the price, for the following reasons:
1. In my opinion, Starbucks has better coffee. Hands down. Whatever your taste buds favor, Starbucks has a variety of choices of coffee, grown in different continents with different intensity of flavors. Dunkin has one type of coffee (that is more watered down than Starbucks, which is why Americans enjoy in more), and uses cheep flavors as an excuse to have "a variety of coffee." Many people have told me they like the flavor of Dunkin Donuts better; that is because the milder flavor is easier to get used to than the bold Starbucks brews.
2. The environment in Starbucks is so so much better--have you ever asked a friend to meet you at Dunkin so you could talk for an hour? Starbucks has tables, couches, comfy chairs, and, if you're lucky, a fireplace for you to utilize, and is an enticing place to spend time in.
3. You don't have to get coffee. Along with lattes, frappachinos, americanos, cappachinos, and macchiatos, Starbucks offers a variety of Tazo tea, hot chocolate, apple cider, and yummy fruit-flavored protein drinks.
Ex. Starbucks uses real Tazo tea and steamed milk to make their Chais. Dunkin uses steamed milk and a flavor packet to make theirs. Would you want your chai to be made from real tea or a processed packet?
4. The. food. is. to. die. for. Their bakery will easily cause me to gain 10 pounds. With cupcakes, apple fritters, crispy squares, cakes, breads, there is something for everyone. If you want a healthier approach, you can purchase sandwiches, parfaits, or a breakfast sandwich. And, even if I eat the fattiest thing at Starbucks, I still feel better than eating one of Dunkin's calorie-induced donuts.
5. Their music selection is surprisingly not bad. Whenever I walk into Dunkin, the top 40 is blasting. Surprisingly, I don't really want to stay in a location while Miley Cyrus is croaking from behind the speakers. At Starbucks, chill, relaxing music plays at a reasonable volume, and awesome CDs are for sale at the front counter.
6. Other drinks sold at Starbucks are healthier options. Think about it; have you seen soda being sold at Starbucks? If I ever scan the options, all I see are water, or healthy fruit drinks. At Dunkin, sugary, fatty sodas seem to be the only other option.
7. Starbucks is environmentally friendly--they partner up with charitable organizations and try to be a positive contributer to the world. What has Dunkin done, other than use styrofoam cups?
In conclusion, I feel that Starbucks gives the impression of caring more about the quality of their coffee, and the environment around them, while Dunkin is more of a fast food approach, a "get and go" environment. Maybe it's because Starbucks is more European-esque, which is why I like it more. Call me crazy, but I like that Starbucks travels around the world looking for the best coffee to brew. And with healthier options if you don't just want coffee and a more inviting place to be in, I don't understand why you would want to have it any other way.
http://open.salon.com/blog/juliaasavegetarian/2010/01/24/coffee_wars_starbucks_vs_dunkin_donuts
