Dunkin', the popular coffee and doughnut chain, faced an unexpected shortage of doughnuts in several states, including Nebraska and New Mexico. Customers in Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island, Nebraska, were surprised to find empty doughnut cases at Dunkin' stores, with signs attributing the absence to a 'manufacturing error.' Some locations offered 'Munchkins' as an alternative on Friday.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, and surrounding areas, a similar shortage was reported, with employees citing supply chain issues and delivery trucks arriving without the expected cargo. Store managers expressed hope that stocks would be replenished by the following week.
A manager at a Dunkin' location in Omaha mentioned that the shortage was a national problem, affecting about 4% of Dunkin's U.S. stores. The issue was traced back to a single supplier, impacting stores in multiple states. Inspire Brands, the parent company of Dunkin', confirmed that they were investigating the cause of the problem and had already begun restocking affected stores.
Dunkin', known for its coffee and doughnuts, underwent a rebranding effort in 2018 to shift focus to its beverage offerings. The company's decision to drop 'Donuts' from its name reflected this strategic shift. Despite the recent doughnut shortage, Dunkin' continues to operate over 9,500 stores nationwide.
Franchise owner Bryce Bares in Nebraska acknowledged that some stores had received substandard products from suppliers, leading to the temporary unavailability of doughnuts. Bares assured customers that the supply partners had addressed the issue, and doughnuts would be back on the menu soon.
While the shortage impacted stores in Nebraska and a few other states, Dunkin' locations in regions like St. Joseph, Missouri, and Boston reported no issues with doughnut availability. The company remains committed to resolving the supply chain challenge and ensuring a seamless customer experience across its vast network of stores.
