Americans are spending money on coffee like never before which manifests the iconic Dunkin’ vs. Starbucks debate. There is much more to this debate than meets the eye as we look deeper into the logistics behind each of the two companies. 

The majority of Americans prefer the taste of Starbucks over the taste of Dunkin’, but there is much more to the experience than taste. The biggest concern when it comes to the two places is cost. A medium iced coffee at Dunkin’ costs $3.59 on average while at Starbucks it would cost $5.55 on average. Someone who is consistently purchasing coffee throughout the week should be mindful of these prices as the costs add up, and the $2 difference at the end of the week could become $10. 

Additionally, Dunkin’ and Starbucks contain vastly different menus. At Dunkin’, the menu is much longer, especially in the food section. On the other hand, Starbucks features a more modest menu. Having a smaller menu can be beneficial because it allows for the industry to pay more attention to specific products, although it also minimizes the options for customers. When ordering food at Dunkin’, there is likely going to be an option for everyone, and this is very attractive to customers. 

Dunkin’ and Starbucks both offer reward programs for their customers. Customers can collect points through purchases and possibly earn rewards for free food, free merchandise and much more. Starbucks offers one point per $1 spent. Dunkin offers 10 points for every $1 spent. Meaning, Dunkin’s reward system is ten times more beneficial to customers when compared to Starbucks. Reward systems can be very valuable as they give back to customers, so it is important to consider when deciding where to stop for coffee each morning. 

Prices, reward systems and menu variety all band together to confirm that ultimately, Dunkin’ is more economically responsible for personal funds than Starbucks, prices add up and reward systems are free money and vast menus are helpful. When considering these factors, it can be concluded that Dunkin’ is much more affordable than Starbucks for customers.