Dark Secrets Employees At Dunkin Donuts Don’t Want Us To Know
Leftover Donuts are Thrown Away
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Prepare to be shocked by a disheartening revelation! Former employees have come forward with a distressing truth that makes us feel uneasy: At the end of each day, unsold donuts are often thrown away instead of being donated to food banks or charities. The sight of perfectly good treats going to waste has left many questioning the company's commitment to reducing food waste and supporting local communities. It's a bitter truth that challenges our perception of responsible consumption and corporate social responsibility.
Dunkin' Donuts' Meat Has Mysterious Origins
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If you're a fan of Dunkin' Donuts breakfast sandwiches, brace yourself for one more disheartening revelation. The exact origin of the meat used in these sandwiches is shrouded in mystery. While it meets safety standards, some employees claim that it doesn't quite match the quality of fresh, premium ingredients. So, if you have a discerning palate and a preference for knowing every detail about your food, you might find yourself questioning the sourcing and quality of the meat in those breakfast delights.
The Behind-The-Scenes
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While we all crave those perfectly fried donuts, the behind-the-scenes process is not as glamorous as you might imagine. Dunkin' Donuts employees have spilled the beans on a not-so-appetizing secret: The fryers often get clogged with oil, making cleaning them a messy nightmare and an actual threat to customers' health. Imagine the greasy aftermath and the effort it takes to keep those fryers running smoothly. It's all part of the labor behind the irresistible donuts that have captured our hearts.
Manipulating Drive-Thru Time
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Ah, the convenience of Dunkin' Donuts' drive-thru — it's a savior for those on the go. But here's a behind-the-scenes secret you might not know: the timers used to track service times can sometimes be manipulated to improve performance metrics. This means that orders may be rushed to meet time targets, potentially compromising the quality of your favorite donuts and beverages. So, while we appreciate the speed, let's not forget that a little extra care and time can go a long way in ensuring a satisfying Dunkin' Donuts experience.
Coffee at Dunkin' Donuts Depends on the Store
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Dunkin' Donuts is renowned for its coffee, but here's a little secret many customers don't know: The freshness and quality of the coffee can vary across locations. While some stores excel at delivering a steaming cup of perfection, others may fall short. In some instances, coffee can sit for longer periods, which can result in a less-than-optimal cup of joe. So, if you're a coffee aficionado seeking a consistently excellent brew, you might want to scout out the locations known for their attention to coffee quality.
Hidden Mold in the Kitchen
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Mold — every food establishment's nemesis, even Dunkin' Donuts, is not immune. Some employees have shared spine-chilling tales of discovering mold lurking in unexpected places. Behind equipment or in hard-to-reach corners, mold can make its unwelcome appearance. While Dunkin' Donuts maintains strict hygiene standards in most of its stores, the persistent nature of mold means that occasional encounters are inevitable. So, the next time you savor your donut or sip your coffee, rest assured that measures are in place but keep an eye out for any lurking surprises.
The Flavors Aren't Available at Every Store
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Dunkin' Donuts prides itself on its wide array of donut flavors, but here's the twist: not all locations carry the full range. That means your beloved favorite donut from one store might not be available at another. It's a dilemma that can lead to disappointment for loyal customers seeking their go-to treats. So, be prepared for some flavor exploration or a slight adjustment in your donut cravings when visiting different Dunkin' Donuts locations. Variety may be the spice of life, but consistency across the board would surely satisfy donut devotees.
Employees Sometimes Work Overtime Without Being Paid
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Behind the scenes, Dunkin' Donuts employees face their share of challenges, including issues with overtime pay. Some have reported difficulties in accurately recording their hours worked, which can often result in potential underpayment. As with any job, accurate timekeeping is crucial, but it seems that in the fast-paced world of donut-making, time tracking can sometimes be a bit challenging. It's a reminder of the importance of fair compensation and ensuring that hardworking employees receive their rightful wages.
Hidden Caloric Conundrum on Some Offerings
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Dunkin' Donuts strives to provide calorie information for their menu items, but here's a twist: Many employees have revealed that certain seasonal or limited-time offerings may not have accurate calorie counts readily available. So, if you're conscious of your calorie intake and rely on that information, be cautious when indulging in those tempting limited-time treats. While Dunkin' Donuts says it aims for transparency only, these temporary offerings may leave you with a caloric conundrum that's not too healthy.
More Mystery Ingredients
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Dunkin' Donuts boasts an extensive menu filled with flavors and options, but here's food for thought: Some employees have raised concerns about certain ingredients used in the recipes. Rest assured, everything falls within regulatory limits, but it's always good to be aware of what you're consuming. If you have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, it's worth delving deeper into the ingredients to ensure they align with your personal choices. Mystery adds intrigue, but transparency about ingredients can go a long way in fostering trust.
The Coffee Cup Isn't Environmentally Friendly
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If you're an environmentally conscious coffee drinker, this might be disheartening news: Dunkin' Donuts' iconic coffee cups are not recyclable in many locations. Unfortunately, this adds to the overall waste generated by the chain. While efforts are being made to reduce the environmental impact, there's still progress to be made in finding more sustainable alternatives for those beloved cups. So, when you're sipping your coffee on the go, remember the challenges that come with balancing convenience and eco-friendliness.
Dunkin' Donuts' Inadequate Allergen Control
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While Dunkin' Donuts makes efforts to provide allergen information and accommodate customers with specific dietary needs, some employees have shared concerns about potential cross-contamination. Despite precautions, the risk of allergen traces or accidental exposure may exist, particularly in shared kitchen spaces. If you have severe allergies or sensitivities, it's important to inform the staff and inquire about the specific allergen control measures in place to make an informed decision about your safety.
Discriminatory Practices
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In a distressing revelation, a few employees have shared experiences of discriminatory practices within certain Dunkin' Donuts locations. This can include instances of racial, gender, or age-based discrimination in hiring, promotions, or day-to-day treatment of employees. Discrimination in the workplace creates a hostile environment and goes against the principles of equality and fairness. Companies should actively foster an inclusive and diverse work culture, free from any form of discrimination, to promote a positive and harmonious atmosphere for all.
Misplaced Loyalty Points
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Dunkin' Donuts offers a loyalty program to reward frequent customers. However, some employees have shared instances where customers' loyalty points were not properly credited or redeemed due to technical glitches or human error. If you're an avid participant in the loyalty program, make sure to keep track of your points and reach out to customer service if you notice any discrepancies. It's always a good idea to stay informed about your rewards and ensure they're accurately reflected in your account.
Doughnut Display Disappointment
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While Dunkin' Donuts showcases a colorful array of doughnuts in their display cases, some employees have revealed that these doughnuts might not always be as fresh as they appear. Due to the need to maintain a visually appealing presentation, doughnuts that have been sitting for a while may be given a fresh glaze to make them look more enticing. So, if you're aiming for the freshest doughnut experience, consider requesting one from the back or opting for made-to-order options. This ensures that you'll enjoy a doughnut that's truly fresh and at its best.
And Very Limited Vegan Options
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Dunkin' Donuts has made efforts to cater to various dietary preferences, including offering vegan options. However, some employees have shared that the selection of vegan items can be limited, especially in certain locations. While Dunkin' Donuts continues to expand its plant-based offerings, vegan customers might find themselves with fewer choices compared to their non-vegan counterparts. It's important for Dunkin' Donuts to listen to customer feedback and work towards providing a wider range of vegan options to accommodate the growing demand in this day and age.
Not All Limited-Time Flavors Are Successful
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Dunkin' Donuts is known for its seasonal and limited-time flavors that create a buzz among customers. However, some employees have revealed that these limited-time offerings often have a short shelf life due to low demand. As a result, certain flavors may run out quickly, leaving enthusiasts disappointed when they can't indulge in their desired treat. If you have your eye on a specific limited-time flavor, it's best to grab it sooner rather than later to ensure you get to savor the unique taste experience before it's gone.
Unsanitary Restroom Conditions
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While Dunkin' Donuts says that it strives to maintain cleanliness throughout its establishments, some employees have reported instances of unsanitary conditions in the restrooms. Due to high customer traffic and the challenges of maintaining constant cleanliness, there may be times when restrooms fall short of expectations. It's essential to exercise caution and hygiene practices when using public facilities. By being mindful of personal cleanliness and reporting any issues to the staff, customers can contribute to a cleaner and more pleasant restroom experience for everyone.
Employee Mistreatment
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In a few unfortunate cases, former employees have disclosed instances of mistreatment, such as verbal abuse or unfair labor practices, within certain Dunkin' Donuts locations. These experiences can leave a lasting impact on the affected individuals and paint a negative picture of the work environment. No doubt that the HQ must address and rectify such issues promptly and effectively, ensuring a respectful and supportive workplace for all employees. Creating a positive and inclusive work culture is not only morally right but also essential for the overall success of the company.
Unsafe Food Handling Practices
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Some employees have disclosed unsafe food handling practices at Dunkin' Donuts, such as improper glove usage, lack of handwashing, or inadequate sanitation procedures. These practices can compromise food safety and increase the risk of foodborne illnesses, putting customers' health at stake. It is crucial for Dunkin' Donuts to prioritize proper training and enforce strict protocols to ensure that all employees adhere to safe food handling practices, maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and reducing the potential for foodborne illnesses.
And Expired Ingredients
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Despite quality control measures, there have been instances where expired ingredients were unintentionally used in food preparation at Dunkin' Donuts. Consuming expired ingredients can pose health risks and result in an unpleasant taste or texture, highlighting the importance of rigorous inventory management and ingredient verification processes. Regular checks and clear guidelines to employees regarding the identification and proper disposal of expired ingredients are imperative as they ensure that only fresh and safe ingredients are used in the products.
Inadequate Food Storage Practices
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Some employees have revealed concerns regarding inadequate food storage practices at Dunkin' Donuts, such as improper temperature control, failure to rotate stock, or insufficient labeling of stored ingredients. Improper food storage practices can compromise the freshness, quality, and safety of food items, increasing the risk of spoilage and potential foodborne illnesses. Nevertheless, some locations should invest in proper storage equipment, enforce the strict protocols for temperature control and stock rotation the HQ issued, and ensure that all stored ingredients are clearly labeled.
Food Poisoning Incidents
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In rare cases, customers have reported experiencing food poisoning symptoms after consuming food from Dunkin' Donuts. Again, foodborne illnesses can occur due to improper food handling, inadequate cooking temperatures, or contamination during the production process. Such incidents can cause severe illness, leading to hospitalization and long-lasting health effects for so many people. To prevent such incidents, every food establishment should have comprehensive food safety programs, including regular inspections, proper training, and strict adherence to sanitation and cooking guidelines.
Dunkin' Donuts' Misleading Food Labels
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Some customers have raised concerns about misleading food labels at Dunkin' Donuts, including inaccurate ingredient information or misleading claims about the nutritional content of certain menu items. Misleading food labels can misguide customers, especially those with specific dietary needs or restrictions, and compromise their ability to make informed choices. Accuracy and transparency in food labeling practices are important, and so is conducting regular audits to ensure that all menu items are properly labeled with accurate ingredient information and nutritional content.
And Health Code Violations
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In a concerning revelation, some Dunkin' Donuts locations have been found to have health code violations. These violations can range from improper food storage practices to unsanitary conditions, posing potential health risks to customers. Adhering to health and safety regulations is crucial for ensuring the well-being of both employees and customers, and regular inspections and training should be conducted to maintain compliance. Every restaurant or food establishment should adhere to very strict health codes to avoid getting customers sick.
Customer Service Neglect Happens
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In unfortunate cases, employees have disclosed instances where customer service standards were disregarded or neglected. This can include rude or dismissive behavior towards customers, failure to address complaints or concerns, or a lack of attentiveness to individual needs. Poor customer service can tarnish the reputation of a brand and lead to a decline in customer loyalty and satisfaction across all locations. Because, sometimes, an isolated incident is all it takes for a whole company to go under.
Discriminatory Practices Among Employees
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In a distressing revelation, a few employees have shared experiences of discriminatory practices within certain Dunkin' Donuts locations. This can include instances of racial, gender, or age-based discrimination in hiring, promotions, or day-to-day treatment of employees. Discrimination in the workplace creates a hostile environment and goes against the principles of equality and fairness. Companies should actively foster an inclusive and diverse work culture, free from any form of discrimination, to promote a positive and harmonious atmosphere for all.
Even Worse, Unsafe Working Conditions
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Some employees have reported working in unsafe conditions at certain Dunkin' Donuts locations. This can include broken equipment, slippery floors, inadequate lighting, or a lack of proper safety protocols. Working in such environments puts employees at risk of accidents and injuries, highlighting the need for employers to prioritize occupational health and safety measures. Regular safety inspections, promptly addressing any identified hazards, and ensuring that all employees have access to a safe and secure work environment is the least a corporation should do.
Menu Item Manipulation
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Former employees have disclosed a practice that may surprise you — certain menu items, particularly those containing bacon, undergo processing to extend their shelf life. While this might be common in the industry, it's worth considering if you prefer the taste of fresh ingredients. The convenience of having these items readily available comes with trade-offs in terms of flavor and freshness. So, instead of savoring the authentic taste of freshly cooked bacon, you may be consuming a product that has undergone preservation techniques, potentially altering its texture and flavor profile.
Training Transgressions
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Lastly, some employees have disclosed that the training provided to new hires may be rushed or incomplete, leading to inconsistencies in service quality and knowledge among staff members. In a fast-paced environment like Dunkin' Donuts, there's often a need to onboard new employees quickly. However, this can result in occasional gaps in training or missed opportunities for comprehensive knowledge transfer. So, if you encounter inconsistencies during your interactions, remember that it's a result of the training process and not a reflection of the individual employee's dedication or capability.
You Can Actually Get Free Donuts By Doing This
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You know those really annoying surveys that always come through on text or on email, and the delete button is looking strong right now? No one likes filling out a survey, but if you like donuts - and free ones at that - you may want to reconsider that stance... You can actually earn a free donut if you look closely at your receipt. There'll be a link at the bottom asking you to do a short survey, and once you've done it, you can get a free donut! So if you're a regular Dunkin' customer with a lot of receipts, just keep doing it every time!
There's A Club You Can Join
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We're not talking an everyday club for fans of donuts - we're talking a VIP club for donut lovers, that even celebrities are a part of! Only the biggest Dunkin Donut fans around are a part of this club, apparently. The club is known by its Dunkin Black Card which you'll receive and be able to use with your orders. BJ Novak is one known celeb who is on board with this card! Only the most loyal fans are sent this card, which is rechargeable and can be used with your purchases. The card is not only supposed to look exclusive, but it's supposed to make
you look exclusive, too!
The Coffee Will Actually Always Be Fresh
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We've all had at least one bad experience with fast food restaurant coffee in our lifetime - when it comes out all medium temp and tasting a little foul. You probably think they used up the last bit of coffee that had been left sat in the pot to get your order out. At Dunkin Donuts, you don't need to worry about that - because (maybe surprisingly) the coffee is actually always made fresh. Every pot will be freshly ground and then brewed before being served that way. If the coffee brewed in that pot isn't used with
18 minutes, it'll be thrown away and a fresh one brewed!
Did You Know You Can Get Some Donuts Toasted?
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If your glazed donuts weren't perfect enough as they are (which seems like blasphemy, but some people might think that) did you know you can actually get them toasted to add a little something different? If you're just someone who likes your things toasted, you might have been feeling a little disappointed at regular untoasted glazed donuts - but now you don't have to! If you want this, you just have to ask an employee to toast your donut in the oven on "croissant" mode, so it's perfectly toasted and not overdone. They'll know exactly what you mean!
If You Want To Skip The Queues, Go On A Sunday
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We know that Dunkin Donuts can get seriously busy - and why wouldn't it, when it's so popular and delicious! - and you may have been thinking that's just something you have to accept, no matter the day of the week. Well, there might actually be a way to skip on the queues... if you're happy to go on a Sunday and not during the week. Forget about your pre-work snack on weekdays and save your glazed donut for an end-of-week treat instead. That way you don't even have to wait in a queue for it. Apparently Sundays are the slowest days for Dunkin!
Picky Over Your Drinks? There Are Over 15,000 Combinations
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We already know that Dunkin offers some seriously exciting drink combinations for anyone who doesn't want a donut, or who doesn't want to pair with their glazed donut! But you might not have realized how many drinks combinations there actually are at this place. You have over 15,000 available - that's a lot of new things for your taste buds! This means that if you're a regular Dunkin customer and you're worry about the monotony of doing the same thing everyday, and ordering the same thing everyday, you can switch it up every time and still get a new drink every time you go!
The Drive Thru Doesn't List All The Donut Flavors
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If you're a Dunkin Donuts fan who has only ever been to a drive thru because you're short on time, you might be seriously missing out, if you don't already know that Dunkin has over 70 variations and flavors of donuts! All the options won't be listed on the drive thru menu - because it just wouldn't be possible to list that many on a small screen and keep the line moving while you're trying to read them all! Not only that, flavors are switched in and out all the time, so they'd have to constantly be updating and changing the drive thru boards, so it just wouldn't work!
The Donuts Are Actually Fresh Every Morning
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Just like we said about the coffee pot, it's easy to think some donuts might not be exactly fresh and might have been sat out for a long time if they're not selling as quickly. Nobody wants to taste a donut that's stale or feels like it's had a rough shift under those lights. But actually the donuts are shipped in fresh every single morning, first thing, at 5am. That means you don't have to worry about whether you're eating last night's left over donut because it didn't sell. The donuts come straight from the bakery, so they've just been made.
Skip The Wait: Use The App
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If you wanted to do this as well as the 'going on a quiet Sunday' hack - or maybe you just want to skip the wait and queues on another day - you can always make your experience easier and quicker by opting for the app! Most fast food places and bakeries offer app options now where you can place your order ahead of time and go pick it up. You don't even need to worry about trying to order it on the morning rush on the way to the store, either - you can actually use the app to place your order even 24 hours in advance if you want to do it the day before if you're a DD perks member!
But The App Can Glitch...
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Unfortunately, with reward also comes risk... especially when it comes to technology. Ordering with the Dunkin Donuts app ahead of time is great if it all goes to plan - not so great if there's a glitch. One anonymous employee did reveal that the app can be glitchy sometimes, which means if you place an order through it, there's always a risk it might not go through or go through incorrectly. Which is a bummer if you've ordered it 24 hours in advance, getting excited when you wake up on your way there, only to find out it never went through!
You're Going To Have To Tell Them All Your Drinks Ingredients, One By One
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We mentioned about how many possible drinks combinations there are at Dunkins, and that's A LOT of ingredients. If you have a very specific order with a ton of different ingredients, it's going to be tricky to order. While the app can make everything quicker, there's just no way out of having to tell the employee exactly what you want - line by line, ingredient by ingredient. So if you have a 50+ ingredient order, you might want to rethink your chosen Dunkin drink... The easiest thing to do can be to use the app so you don't have to stand at the counter reeling off the ingredients!
Employees Hate When You Order This One Item
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Every fast food place has that one item that they just hate to make, and dread a customer speaking those words. For Dunkin Donut employees, it's the Big N Toasty. While we can all agree the Big N Toasty is delicious and worth the wait - and even employees would say it is, quite literally, tasty - it's the one thing they hate to prepare. This is because it takes so long, and due to the way that the Toasty has to be prepared. As a customer ordering it, you have to be ready to wait a bit longer for it, and it's no fun for the employees during a busy shift!
They Do Get Free Donuts, Though
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One thing that can make up for the stresses of having to prepare a whole load of Big N Tasties, though, is the fact that employees do actually get free donuts (which, seriously, you'd expect if you worked there, wouldn't you!). This can definitely be one of those blessing and a curse situations though. On the one hand, getting access to free donuts when you've had a gruelling shift is an amazing treat - on the other, it takes some serious willpower to not eat too many, and you then have to worry about, you know... avoiding a sugar overload, too many carbs and being unhealthy!
There's A Science To The Cream/Coffee
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If you've ever gone more traditional at Dunkin Donuts and simply ordered a coffee with cream, instead of a specialty drink with a million different ingredients, then you might have been amazed at how perfectly proportioned they got the coffee and the cream! Seriously, how do they do it? Well, it's a science. There's a specific method, and a very specific machine, that they use to make the coffee with cream. This machine will make sure that the ratio of cream, sugar and coffee is perfectly balanced no matter what size of drink you order.
The Reason Their Iced Coffee Is So Strong
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For some reason, we all think iced coffee isn't going to be the strongest, or that it won't be as caffeinated as hot coffee - deep down we know the caffeine content isn't going to be any different, but cold instead of hot just
feels different. Well at Dunkin Donuts, their iced coffee is so darn strong - and there's a reason for that. When making iced coffee, they need to make sure it's not going to be a watery mush, so they double brew the coffee. They use twice the amount of normal coffee to make sure it's right, so that'll explain why you've got the shakes walking back to your car!
You Might Not Want To Be Rude...
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Every fast food or dessert store in the US is used to that one rude customer that doesn't respect servers - it's inevitable in this kind of industry. But just a heads up, you might not want to be that person who's rude to your server. Not least because you just shouldn't anyway, but also because an anonymous employee admitted that they saw one of their coworkers serve a very rude customer a donut that had been dropped on the floor... so just remember they literally have your food and drink in their hands, and you want it clean!
What Their Sweet Cold Foam Really Is
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Dunkin Donuts has that sweet cold foam we all know and love for some of its drinks, and you might have been thinking it's an in-house recipe or just a big mystery how they make it so delicious. Well we hate to burst your bubble, but an anonymous employee revealed what it really is... apparently it's just Reddi-Wip. It's just whipped cream in a can that you not only buy yourself from the store, but you could easily put it on your own drink yourself if you wanted to! Dunkin Donut fans really love that sweet cold foam, so it might be a bit disappointing to know what it really is.
There Might Be Two Syrups That Are Just Basically The Same
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With so many amazing drink variations and combinations, you'll naturally be hoping they're all different in their own ways, adding something unique to the table. But we guess with so many ingredients, there are bound to be a few that are just too similar, or pretty much the same... and that counts for these two syrups: the French Vanilla Swirl and the Pink Velvet Swirl. Which is surprising, because they sound like to completely different things! They're actually the same concoction of ingredients, they just have different colorings added to make them look different!
You Can Customize!
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Just in case this wasn't too obvious, because it's a travesty if you haven't been doing this up to this point and just going off what's on the menu! You can pretty much customize anything on the Dunkin Donuts menu -
almost anything. We have to say almost because there might be one or two things on there that just aren't happening in terms of customization! This doesn't just mean drinks with all those ingredients, either - you can definitely ask for your sandwich to be made a different way if you really want it to be!
This Menu Item Has More Calories Than A Big Mac
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You might have thought you were being (somewhat) good by going to Dunkin Donuts for a muffin instead of McDonald's for a Big Mac - not healthy, per say, but good! Unfortunately, this muffin from Dunkin actually has more calories than a Big Mac: the Coffee Cake Muffin. Yep, the one that's oh-so delicious! If you don't want to know how many calories you're eating, look away now... But it actually has around 590 calories, 24 grams of fat and around 370 milligrams of sodium. It's more calories than if you ate two glazed donuts!
