Comments on: Dunkin vs Starbucks

By: Susan Abbasi

Susan Abbasi — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:03:43 +0000

I love starbucks way more than dunkin :]

there’s just a fast food vibe when you wnter DD, and Starbuck’s is just a place to hang out anytime of the year to just relax because its always quiet without kids always coming in and out throughout the day

By: Mike T

Mike T — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:29:45 +0000

Not being a graphics designer type, my impression is that from a logo / design standpoint. I like Starbucks design better than Dunkin Donuts.

Like was mentioned earlier, SB has more of a warm cozy feeling like you want to curl up with a cup of Joe and a warm blanket.

DD on the other hand, their logo totally reminds me of fluorescent lighting (which I dislike very much..). Rather cold, cheap and fast food like.

In both cases, this has nothing to do with their coffee, just my gut feel with respect to their respective logos.

By: John

John — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:12:28 +0000

I like Starbucks, but agree it is overpriced. When given the opportunity I always choose a local coffee shop/coffee house.

DD is alright, but I actually will go out of my way to McD’s new ice coffee – MUCH BETTER!

By: Bob Pease

Bob Pease — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:23:58 +0000

I love coffee, and I am a huge Starbucks fan. I’ll drink other coffee, but I’ve never liked Dunkin’ Doughnuts, so I’ve always been spiteful of the “#1 coffee” title.

When looking at the two companies in this post and comparing the branding, Dunkin’ isn’t appetizing. Their colors are too bright and don’t relate to coffee well. I think Starbucks choice to use more subtle colors appeals more to the appetite.

Excellent post

By: TransPhattyAcid

TransPhattyAcid — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:33:36 +0000

Much as I hate to admit it, I think Dunkin Donuts wins the design competition here. Here’s why: I love SB’s design. It’s elegant & so well-done that it’s become the defacto standard for what a coffee shop should look like. Thus, it has, by shear volume, become the GENERIC coffee shop look. That’s bad. Who want’s to be generic. SB is the look that other shops can riff off of and reinvent and thus be better than. Now Dunkin donuts… Oh let me count the ways you torment me! But, their graphic design is fun, energetic, exciting, if not a little too commercial. So what does this mean, I think the way Dunkin Donuts has rebranded itself and revitalized it’s look, colors, identity, packaging, etc, gives it an advantage over Starbucks elegant, safe, and therefore boring, generic look.

By: Paula

Paula — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:11:44 +0000

Starbucks wins the design contest, hands down. Of course, Starbucks standardized and packaged the look of the private neighborhood coffee shops.

By: Design Bump

Design Bump — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 04:24:26 +0000

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By: Nikki - Logo Design Guru

Nikki - Logo Design Guru — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:55:20 +0000

This article is interesting because it didn’t occur to me before how both starbucks and dunkin’ have been adjusting their logos. They are starting to look too similar now, going with an earthy toned older looking design. To be honest, I’m beginning to think that its their prices that art the problem right now. In the middle of a recession, it’s hard to find $4.00 for a cup of coffee!

By: Bre

Bre — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:45:03 +0000

Starbucks has the more – warm, grungy, natural design I usually enjoy – and create myself.

However, I notice when people are carrying DD around. Maybe it is the white of the Styrofoam, or the orange of that straw or the logo. (By the way, all hot coffee should come in Styrofoam!)

Anyway – as far as taste – DD!! I LOVE their coffee!

By: Tim Wiseman

Tim Wiseman — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:19:38 +0000

First things first, I like Starbucks’ coffee better than Dunkin’s, when they don’t burn it. The coffee is richer on the palate, there is just a deeper complexity in the flavor of the coffee.

On to branding, I always think it’s best to be exactly who you are. Dunkin IS doughnuts (Donuts) … always. In my opinion, it is pretty much a waste of $$ to develop a campaign to rival Starbucks. Just because the brand that SBUX has developed when it comes to it’s coffee, it’s barista’s and the experience – is overwhelming.

Dunkin should stay fun, make some decent coffee, and be the place to go when you want a doughnut. In my mind, they are two completely different places for different occasions and reasons.

So – I like what both have done (minus the Dunkin vs. Starbucks campaign), because it works for what each are doing, in reaching their market. That’s what this is about right?

Just my thoughts…