Dunkin’ is launching its special Halloween menu. The donut shop has also updated its rewards program, which has received some criticism.
The chain’s customers can now enjoy the popular Dunk-o-Lantern donut, the fearsome spider donut and the peanut butter Macchiato. Holiday colored donuts, black and orange, join Dunkin”s fall menu to round out the seasonal lineup, which includes the blood orange Dunkin’ Refresher.
The spider donut features orange icing and is decorated with chocolate munchkins for the spider figure. The classic pumpkin-shaped donut is filled with vanilla-flavored buttercream, topped with orange icing and featuring the classic Jack-o’-lantern smile.
The Peanut Butter Macchiato has an orange peanut butter swirl layer mixed with a layer of espresso on top for an added sip of Halloween spirit.
Another recently announced Dunkin’ news that caused the most buzz was the update to the loyalty program, Dunkin’ Rewards.
Dunkin’ notes that people can unlock a breakfast sandwich, 10 munchkins Donut Hole Treats, or Bagel Minis with the purchase of any full-priced medium or larger drink before Oct. 31. Members can also pre-order in the app on Mondays to earn 100 bonus points.
The changes mean a difference in the way points and free items are calculated. Customers expressed their anger at the change from DD Perks to Dunkin’ Rewards.
In the previous rewards program, a free drink of any kind was offered when a user spent $40. In the program update, customers must spend about $70 to get a free specialty drink like an espresso or a cold coffee.
Con DD Perks, customers earned five points for every $1 spent and could get a free drink of their choice for as little as 200 points which was the equivalent of $40 in points.
In the new program, members earn 10 points for every $1 spent and rewards start at 150 points. A free basic coffee starts at 500 points and ranges up to 900 points for a premium drink.
Also, the free birthday drink was discontinued. This measure could change and coffee will be back to celebrate customers, Dunkin’ president Scott Murphy told Yahoo Finance Live.
Dunkin’ defended recent changes to its rewards program from backlash from upset customers.
“We went out and talked to our core users and said, ‘What do you want from a program?’ They said they wanted three things: they wanted more variety because on the previous show you could only buy one drink; they wanted more flexibility, and now we’ve given them the opportunity to collect points so they can buy a drink for themselves, a sandwich for their family, or a full meal.” Murphy said.