OPINION

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By Taylor Domson

Ah, the headiness of life. The gravity of each decision. The looming prospect of the future. Uncertainties pervade, yet one choice decisively corners humanity. The road splits—paths are chosen. Enemies arise, and each “victor” shares their individual ethos. It’s a battlefield. Now, the searing question emerges: Where do you prefer to buy coffee?

Perhaps you brew coffee at home, like many frugal Americans do every morning. Perhaps you despise the influence of caffeine, lobbying for protein shakes and fruit smoothies. Or, maybe you’re a normal person, and you frequently vacate the jarring monotony of domestic routine for gluttonous adventure. 

I will earnestly confess to the excitement that accompanies any trip to a local coffee shop or café. The aesthetic, taste, and comfort coffee brings are unmatched. Yet, not all coffee is created equally. Starbucks, Dunkin’, and many local coffee shops in the Richmond area all battle for regional supremacy, stating their debate via espresso and cream. However special these local shops may be, though, they fail to proffer the efficiency and manpower of Dunkin’ and Starbucks. These two international behemoths battle every morning, as floods of employees, students, and even retirees venture out for a morning pick-me-up. Both boast their own seasonal specialties, celebrity spokespeople, and special treats. So, which store is the best? Let’s ask teenagers!

Cheers with Dunkin’ coffee.
Photo credit: User twinsfisch via Unsplash.

At Collegiate, students often walk into school bearing the signature caffeinated cups of Starbucks and Dunkin’. But both coffee chains primarily sell variations of the same beverages. So what sets them apart? 

Starbucks provides a wide variety of coffee, such as espresso, latte, cold brew, macchiato, cappuccino, and simple americano—hot and iced. Pop culture trends have also infiltrated the extensive menu, via chai, matcha, and renowned fruit-flavored beverages, like the signature “pink drink” and “strawberry açaí refresher.” Its menu extends far beyond coffee, with refreshers of mango dragon fruit and kiwi star fruit that conquer the hands of young girls opposed to the bitter aftertaste of coffee. 

It seems Dunkin’ has also succumbed to such fruity alternatives, offering similar fruit refreshers. In fact, it seems Dunkin’s limited refresher section—offering peach passion fruit and strawberry dragon fruit flavors—has only arrived in response to Starbucks’ great success. Indeed, Emily Deskevich (‘22) admits that “Starbucks provides more options for the non-coffee lovers.” So, perhaps Starbucks is the victor in this ancient battle due to its menu versatility, offering beverage options that appeal to a diversified audience.  

Or, perhaps both chains’ products are different. As a frequenter of both Dunkin’ and Starbucks, I must admit that what Dunkin’ lacks in class, it makes up for in sugar. Although I prefer the sweet taste of caramel to Starbucks’ bitter foil, my volleyball teammate Nova Wonderling confesses Dunkin’s “sugar is excessive and tastes unnatural.” For true coffee drinkers, Dunkin’s extreme injections of flavored syrup and milk culminate in beverages that “are way too sweet,” as dubbed by avid coffee drinker Carrington Miller (‘23). In fact, Dunkin’ coffee’s powerful combination of sugar and caffeine remains visible throughout the day, as drinkers retain high spirits and visible energy. Just so, Georgia McManus (‘23) gushes about Dunkin’s credibility, saying “my order always comes out consistent.” Although Dunkin’ is known for its sweeter syrups and generally higher sugar content, I’d wager most customers seek a uniform version of the same beverage whenever they order it. Indeed, McManus confesses that “Starbucks baristas create separate versions” of her order every time she goes there. So, does flavor or consistency win? Let’s take a deeper look at the menus.

A Starbucks iced pumpkin spice latte—a fall specialty.
Photo credit: User JimmyStardust via Wikimedia Commons.

Just as Starbucks retains a wide variety of drinks, its food menu is just as extensive. It offers breakfast and lunch options, such as egg sandwiches, bagels, cookies, croissants, sweet breads, and even lunch sandwiches. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to stroll over to a local Starbucks during a lunch break, perhaps in search of a grilled cheese and lemonade. The chain, established in Seattle, Washington in 1971, has evidently spread its wings, diversifying its menu to offer options for all. Still, Starbucks doesn’t overwhelm its menu with lackluster snacks. As Gabby Chen (’23) simply states, “[Starbucks] has great food.” They conquered food as they did coffee—with class and efficiency.

In contrast, Dunkin’s menu does not extend into lunchtime bites. It’s admittedly a breakfast chain, revealing its tendencies in its former name: Dunkin’ Donuts. The now international chain—owned by Inspire Brands—started as a dual donut and coffee shop in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1950. The chain is now most popular in the Northeast, boasting 226 locations in Chicago and a combined 417 stores in three of New York City’s boroughs. Its popularity and New England roots have even been spoofed on Saturday Night Live. Now, it seems the chain is once again scrambling to compete with Starbucks, dropping its “Donuts” title to afford more recognition for their new food options. They offer donuts, breakfast wraps, pancakes, hash browns, and their signature munchkins—the equivalent of donut holes. Before COVID-19, when breakfast treats crowded the front hall of Pitt in the Upper School, I would frequently pass boxes of Dunkin donuts and munchkins. I never seemed to pass Starbucks cake pops or lemon loaves. Still, customer service remains. Who makes the experience worthwhile? 

When I go to Starbucks, I often receive my order promptly, spending less than ten minutes either inside or at the drive-thru. Their employees are efficient and good-natured, often offering kind words of greeting and goodbye. I truly feel like a valued customer. As a current employee at a restaurant, I now understand the pressure these employees face and can empathize with the energy required to treat each customer with respect. 

The employees at Dunkin’ have evidently shed the care for customer service that Starbucks exudes, revealing a lower level of flexibility. I can expect a smooth, relatively fast experience at Starbucks, while my mood frequently changes upon my entry and exit from the Dunkin’ parking lot. Perhaps such poor experiences occur within the workplace as well. In fact, former Dunkin’ employee Grayson Hepp (‘23) admits that “having to wake up … just to have people yell at me made work tough.” It seems his employee experience was generally stressful, as he admits “we would often get yelled at.” He did form strong connections with his coworkers, though, as it was “pretty easy to become friends with people when they are in similar, pretty terrible situations with you.” I, however, as a Dunkin’ lover, gingerly choose to overlook the chain’s poor, inefficient treatment in service of their coffee. I’m a devoted customer. 

Dunkin’ and Starbucks at-home coffee options
Photo credit: User littleny via Pixabay.

Indeed, the ambiance and general environment at any café truly affect the customer. A friend and Starbucks employee says that customer service at her location is “pretty efficient” but her manager emphasizes “customer connection, which leads to a little less efficiency, since [employees] engage with [customers] more.” So, according to this source, Starbucks fosters the customer-employee relationship necessary for success. Even when swift preparation suffers, general good cheer reigns. The store remains “super clean” and she gushes, “I absolutely love my coworkers … they feel like family.” Perhaps such healthy staff relationships permeate into the working atmosphere, proffering exceptional beverages and good food.

So, what store is “the best”? Who knows? I am often conflicted. Starbucks is closer, but I prefer the taste of Dunkin’ coffee. Maybe you’re like Amani Kimball-McKavish (‘22), though, and “wouldn’t go to either.” Maybe that makes sense. In fact, caffeine is a drug, known for causing anxiety, depression, and lack of sleep in teens. Perhaps, the teens sipping on milk and orange juice every morning are the true victors.

Featured image credit: rawpixel.com.