Starbucks vs. Dunkin: Basic Info

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There’s no doubt that when most people think of a chain coffee shop, Starbucks or Dunkin at least crosses their mind. Most people I know have a preference, even if it is just for specific types of drinks.

Whether you are new to the world of coffee or just want a review of basic info for both chains, I’ve got you covered below.

Just a note, I am not nor have I ever been a barista! I am, however, a coffee lover and hope to share some useful information to you!

 

Starbucks vs. Dunkin: Locations

Starbucks was founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington. They currently have over 16,000 locations spanning all 50 states as well as over 80 countries worldwide!

Dunkin was founded in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts. They currently have over 9,000 locations spanning 45 states as well as almost 40 countries worldwide! Interesting enough, the US states without a Dunkin are in the Northwest which is where Starbucks originated!

Now let’s take a look at what types of drinks are offered at each restaurant. For the purposes of this post, I am only focusing on coffee drinks and am not including tea or fruit based drinks.

 

Starbucks vs. Dunkin: Menu Options

Starbucks Hot Options:

  • Brewed Coffee (Blonde Roast, Medium Roast, Dark Roast, Decaf)
  • Americano: Espresso topped with hot water
  • Cappuccino: Espresso topped with thick milk foam
  • Espresso Shots
  • Flat White: Ristretto expresso (smaller, more concentrated), steamed milk
  • Latte: Espresso with steamed milk topped with a light layer of foam
  • Macchiatos: Espresso with a small amount of steamed milk and foam
  • Mocha: Espresso with mocha sauce and steamed milk, typically topped with whipped cream

Dunkin Hot Options:

              • Brewed Coffee (Original Roast, Midnight Roast, Decaf, Half Decaf)     
      • Americano: Espresso and water
      • Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk with a thick layer of foam
      • Espresso Shots
      • Latte: Espresso and frothy milk
      • Macchiato: Milk topped with espresso 

 

 

Starbucks Cold Options:

    • Cold Brew
    • Nitro Cold Brew: Cold brew infused with nitrogen
    • Iced Americano: Espresso topped with cold water, served over ice
    • Iced Coffee: Sweetened with classic syrup, served over ice
    • Iced Shaken Espresso: Espresso shaken with classic syrup and a touch of milk, served over ice
    • Iced Flat White: Ristretto expresso with milk, served over ice
    • Iced Latte: Espresso and milk, served over ice
    • Iced Macchiato: Milk topped with espresso and syrup, served over ice
    • Iced Mocha: Espresso with mocha sauce and milk, served over ice and typically topped with whipped cream
    • Frappuccino: Coffee, milk, and ice combined in a blender

Dunkin Cold Options:

    • Cold Brew
    • Nitro Brew: Cold brew infused with nitrogen
    • Iced Americano: Espresso with water, served over ice
    • Iced Coffee (Original, Decaf, Half Decaf)
    • Iced Latte: Espresso and milk, served over ice
    • Iced Macchiato: Milk topped with espresso, served over ice
    • Frozen Coffee: Coffee, cream, and ice combined in blender 

  •  

 
Starbucks vs. Dunkin: Drink Sizes

Starbucks generally offers 4 different sizes in both hot and cold drinks.

Dunkin offers 4 different sizes for hot drinks and 3 different sizes for cold drinks.

Starbucks Hot Drinks Dunkin Hot Drinks
Short = 8oz Small = 10oz
Tall (Small) = 12oz Medium = 14oz
Grande (Medium) = 16oz Large = 20oz
Venti (Large) = 20oz X-Large = 24oz

Starbucks Cold/Iced/Frozen Drinks Dunkin Cold/Iced/Frozen Drinks
Tall (Small) = 12oz Small = 16oz
Grande (Medium) = 16oz Medium = 24oz
Venti (Large) = 24oz Large = 32oz
Trenta (X-Large) = 30oz —–

 
Starbucks vs. Dunkin: Dairy Options

Both Starbucks and Dunkin offer multiple dairy or dairy alternate options to customize your coffee.

Starbucks Dairy Options Dunkin Dairy Options
Skim (Nonfat) Milk Skim (Nonfat) Milk
1% Milk —–
2% Milk —–
Whole Milk Whole Milk
Soy Milk —–
Half & Half —–
Heavy Cream Heavy Cream
Coconut Milk Coconut Milk
Oat Milk Oat Milk
Almond Milk Almond Milk
Vanilla Sweet Cream —–

 
Starbucks vs. Dunkin: Flavor Offerings

Both chains offer several different flavors that can be added as a way to customize your drink order.

Starbucks offers “syrups” and “sauces”, both of which are sweetened and measured in “pumps”. Sauces are dairy based with a thicker consistency and blend better with hot drinks. This is also what you see lining the bottom and sides of cold drinks like a caramel macchiatos! Syrups are dairy free and thinner which allows them to mix great in both hot and cold drinks.

Standard Starbucks sauces include: Mocha, Dark Caramel, and White Chocolate Mocha. 

Standard Starbucks syrups include: Brown Sugar, Caramel, Cinnamon Dolce, Hazelnut, Peppermint, Toasted Vanilla, Toffeenut, Vanilla, and Sugar Free Vanilla. 

Dunkin offers “flavor swirls” and “flavor shots” which are also measured in “pumps”. Flavor swirls are sweet and creamy while flavor shots and thinner and sugar free.

Standard Dunkin Flavor Swirls include: Caramel, French Vanilla, Mocha, and Butter Pecan

Standard Dunkin Flavor Shots include: Vanilla, Hazelnut, Toasted Almond, Blueberry, Raspberry, and Coconut

Both Starbucks and Dunkin offer additional seasonal flavors that are available on a limited basis. 

Both chains have a pre-determined number of flavor pumps that are added to each drink depending on size ordered. This can vary depending on whether your drink is hot or cold. You can always increase or decrease the default amount to suit your liking!

Starbucks Flavor Additions Dunkin Flavor Additions
Short = 2 pumps Small = 2 pumps
Tall = 3 pumps Medium = 3 pumps
Grande = 4 pumps Large = 4 pumps
Venti Hot = 5 pumps, Venti Iced = 6 pumps X-Large = 5 pumps
Trenta = 7 pumps  

 

Starbucks vs. Dunkin: Sweeteners

If you don’t want to add flavor to your coffee but do want to add some sweetness, you will find the following options:

Starbucks Sweeteners Dunkin Sweeteners
Liquid Classic Syrup Sugar
Liquid Cane Sugar Equal
Honey Blend Splenda
Honey Sweet’N Low
Splenda Stevia in the Raw
Stevia in the Raw  
Sugar  
Sugar in the Raw  

There’s no doubt that both Starbucks and Dunkin offer something for just about everyone! Personally I love them both! Honestly it usually comes down to which is more convenient at the time unless I’m craving something specific. However, after review of this basic comparison, it is safe to say that Starbucks does offer more of a variety!

Stay tuned for more Starbucks vs. Dunkin comparisons!

Thank you for visiting my page, and As Always,

Happy Sipping!

 

 

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