Dunkin’ vs. Starbucks: Why One Coffee Chain Is Better

dunkin vs starbucks

It’s the classic clash of the coffees: Dunkin’vs. Starbucks. In order to get to the bottom of this iconic cafe rivalry, you’ve gotta dive into what each side offers and really suss it out for yourself. Everyone’s got their own preferences when it comes to coffee, of course, but I think the superior choice is crystal clear. 👀

I’ll be breaking down the key differences of the two coffee giants in order to settle the grand old Dunkin’ vs. Starbucks discourse for good. Let’s get into it to find out who wins in the battle of Dunkin’ vs. Starbucks.

Why do people prefer Dunkin' over Starbucks?

Image via Dunkin'

A lot of people prefer going to Dunkin’ over Starbucks for their coffee fix because it’s cheaper in comparison. Additionally, Dunkin’ has a more generous rewards system that gives customers better deals than your typical Starbucks dealsand rewards.

Is Dunkin' trying to compete with Starbucks?

Image via Dunkin'

Yes, Dunkin’ is trying to compete with Starbucks. While Starbucks has over 15,000 locations around the US and Dunkin’ has around 8,500, The Streetreports that rather than opening thousands of new locations, Dunkin’ is trying to compete with Starbucks by expanding their menu offerings and product lines.

By leveraging their partnership with Coca-Cola, Dunkin’ has brought a wider range of ready-to-drink canned iced coffees, coffee roasts, and coffee creamers to grocery stores where they’re likely to drive revenue and increase brand awareness past their cafes.

The chain also has increased engagement with a range of celebrity endorsements and collaborations, most recently with rapper Ice Spice and actor Ben Affleck.

What are good drinks to get from Dunkin'?

Image via Dunkin'

Based on my experience, there are tons of good drinks to get from Dunkin’. In terms of espresso-based drinks, the Caramel Swirl Iced Latte and the Iced Pink Velvet Macchiato from the Dunkin' Valentine's Day menuare my favorites. The Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher, the Iced Matcha Latte with vanilla, and the Berry Burst SPARK’D Energy Drink from the 2024 Dunkin’ spring menu are the best non-coffee Dunkin’ drinks I’ve tried thus far!

What are good drinks to get from Starbucks?

Image via Starbucks

I was a Starbucks barista for a hot minute, so I have lots of experience with the best drinks to get there. I’ve tried many different Starbucks drinks with many different customizations, which can make it hard to pick.

My top Starbucks hot drink has to be either a hot Matcha Latte with oat milk and peppermint syrup or a White Mocha with oat milk. I also really enjoyed the Lavender Creme Frappuccino from the Starbucks spring menu! For something colder, you can’t go wrong with a Pistachio Cream Cold Brew. The Iced Black Tea Lemonade is also super good for hot days!

Image via Dunkin'

Prices

If you ordered a medium cold brew, a blueberry muffin, and a sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich from Dunkin’, it’d cost around $13.07. If you ordered the same thing from Starbucks, it’d cost around $12.85.* Though this made-up order favors Starbucks (less cost), Dunkin’ is typically considered the cheaper option.

According to Investopedia, Starbucks has a higher cost of goods which translates to overall higher menu prices than Dunkin’.

*Calculated from menu offerings near Denver, CO. Prices may vary by location.

Image via Starbucks

Menu

I counted 27 different drinks on Dunkin’s menu, while Starbucks’ offerings surpassed 90. Dunkin’ also has 16 food items on their menu (with an additional 90 different donut flavors alone), while Starbucks’ offerings amounted to 69 food items.

Starbucks' breakfast menuis a lot more robust than Dunkin’s, relying more on breakfast sandwiches than sugary donuts. While Dunkin’ does have those more protein-packed foods, too, Starbucks definitely does it better in this department. Starbucks also has a lot more pre-packaged snacks and foods you can reach for when you’re on the go!

Many people have a bone to pick with Dunkin’s quality, but I’ve never come face to face with a Dunkin’ drink I didn’t like. I think it’s just as good as Starbucks espresso, considering how good you can really make fast food espresso. I believe that both chains have a process for standardizing their drink recipes, so many times, you can order the same drink at different locations and it’ll taste the same. This has been my sole experience, so maybe I’m just lucky!

Image via Dunkin'

Service

Both Dunkin’ and Starbucks offer drive-thru, in-cafe, and mobile app pick-up ordering formats. Starbucks has one more exclusive ordering method with Target Drive-Up.

From my experience, all of the above methods for ordering are accessible and easy to order through. I personally prefer drive-thru when it comes to a coffee run, but haven’t had any mishaps with the other options.

When it comes to the in-cafe experience, Starbucks is the name of the game. They’ve come to be one of the most famous ‘third places,’ offering free WiFi and seating to those working remotely, meeting friends in-person, or those just seeking a soothing coffee sit-down.

I’ve found that while Dunkin’s in-store locations are accommodating, they’re not quite as comfortable and cozy as Starbucks. Starbucks has certainly formed a big part of their brand around coffee culture, and it shows.

Both chains, from what I’ve experienced, have lovely employees who are ready to help if something’s gone awry with my order. All of their staffers have had a pleasant attitude when I’ve pulled up to the drive-thru, which makes going there even more enticing.

Image via Starbucks

Rewards

Dunkin’s rewards system, Dunkin’ Rewards, operates on a point-based system, where you earn 10 points for every $1 spent. The deals start at 150 points (just $15), which gets you a free 3-count pack of donut holes, with the potential to earn even more points for larger rewards like lattes and sandwiches.

Dunkin’ Rewards has a better deal when it comes to birthday freebies – you can earn 3X points on purchases made the day before your birthday, your actual birthday, and the day after your birthday.

Starbucks Rewards operates on a stars system, where you earn 1 star for every $1 spent. The deals start at 25 stars ($25), which gets you one free drink customization (shots, syrups, and type of milk), with the potential to earn more stars for bigger rewards.

Contrary to Dunkin’s offers, Starbucks birthday freebies are only available the day of your birthday via rewards.

Dunkin’ Rewards is definitely the better deal in this case. I think earning more rewards for less is what it should be about, plus the Dunkin’ system is carefully designed to benefit returning, frequent customers. It feels good to save! While Starbucks Rewards technically does the same, you have to spend a lot more money there to even get a free drink. The Dunkin’ app runs flash deals a lot more frequently than Starbucks’ does, too.

Which one is better, Starbucks or Dunkin'?

Image via Dunkin'

Everyone has their own hot take on the Dunkin’ vs. Starbucks debate, but I think Dunkin’ is the clear winner, as they offer generous rewards for going regularly and very competitive menu prices. Both coffee chains have their own pros and cons (and similarities, for that matter), so the ‘winning’ choice has more to do with your personal preferences for the kind of coffee you drink!

Where do your loyalties lie with the Dunkin vs. Starbucks debate? Let us know in the comments!

Fans of Whole Foods’ iconic Berry Chantilly cake are going to want to run to their closest store, because there’s an all-new treat inspired by the famous dessert. Yep – the Whole Foods coffee bar just announced a Berry Chantilly Latte that pulls flavor inspiration from the beloved treat, and it looks extremely tasty.

Scroll on for everything to know about Whole Foods’ new Berry Chantilly Latte!

Whole Foods

In case you haven't experienced the sheer magic that is the Whole Foods Berry Chantilly cake, it’s an item from their bakery counter that’s earned cult-favorite status since its launch 13 years ago.

The cake features layers of vanilla cake slathered with Chantilly cream frosting and a fresh medley of berries like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Per Whole Foods, it’s so iconic that customers have stood in line for it through power outages and natural disasters.

Greta Hoffman / PEXELS

Seeing that the cake itself is so adored, it’s no surprise that Whole Foods’ coffee bar just dropped a latte inspired by each sweet, sweet bite. The new Berry Chantilly Latte highlights notes of "creamy vanilla sweetened with berries and a whisper of almond.”

@wholefoods

Per Food Network, the development team behind the new sip desired a “not-too-sweet” effect, ultimately choosing a combo of strawberry and almond for the drink. Of course, it's loaded up with shots of espresso to round out the sweeter flavors.

Whole Foods

Once Whole Foods introduced the Berry Chantilly Latte on Instagram, tons of coffee-loving shoppers sounded off with excitement.

“Say no more. On our way!! 😍😍” one person commented.

“My favorite latte of all time 10/10,” another said.

“Got it this morning and it does not disappoint!!” one more user said. “Wish it was permanent!!”

Amazon

Available to order hot or iced and with your choice of milk, the new Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Latte will be in participating locations through July 1.

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You weren’t the only one tearing up during90-minute finale of The White Lotus. Season 3 of Mike White’s series has officially concluded, with viewers left shocked, heartbroken, and all-around emotional. And it turns out, the cast felt the same (warning:lots of spoilers ahead).

In preparation for the series' end, Max took over the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, California, to create a Thailand-inspired White Lotus wellness oasis. The retreat included cooking and mixology classes with Ketel One Vodka and Tanqueray Gin, meditation sessions, and a moving panel discussion (hosted by Queer Eye’s Tan France) with the ensemble after they, too, watched the finale for the first time.

During the cast’s Q&A, we got the tea on how Aimee Lou Wood truly felt about her character’s death, plus Patrick Schwarzenegger’s initial reaction to the explosive ending.

Scroll to see The White Lotuscast's reaction to that heartbreaking season 3 finale...

HBO

The White Lotus Cast's Reactions to Chelsea and Rick’s Death

As audience members know, Chelsea and Rick were the characters that met a gruesome end.

Wood said of her character’s death, “For about two weeks before we shot it, I felt super weird. It was this odd, ominous thing that was just hanging over us.” Her character is a casualty of an intense gunfight ignited by her boyfriend Rick (played by Walton Goggins), who attempted to save her by carrying her to safety. “And then it was the hottest day ever. Walton had to carry me so many times, and it was so hard.

In that time, Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong) achieves his vindication by shooting Rick in the back. “Chelsea doesn’t know what’s going to happen to her,” Wood said, adding that the scene “looked exactly how it felt, which was really strange.” There’s a final, dark shot of Chelsea dead, faced down in the pond and Rick faced up, mimicking a Yin and Yang symbol.

HBO

Meanwhile, Thapthimthong felt like his character’s actions were “justified.”

Thapthimthong said, “At first, I felt like, ‘I don’t want to shoot him in the back.’ I wish he would turn around and have a little gunfight with me so we can have a little action scene. But we had a discussion with Mike, and I remember he said, ‘Trust me,’ it will be justified. I feel like it really was.” Gaitok then goes on to receive the promotion he’s always wanted, so you can say things worked out for him.

HBO

Patrick Schwarzenegger, who arguably conveyed the biggest character arc in Saxon Ratliff, built a spiritual connection with Chelsea that translated IRL.

Schwarzenegger told France, “I knew something happened to Chelsea, but I didn’t know the extent of everything. It’s this really surreal weird feeling right now of just spending so much time with all of these cast members and then watching someone die. I don’t know how to describe it. You feel like something really happened.” We did too, Patrick, we did too.

As Aimee Lou Wood said on the panel, “There’s a lot in that episode that made me f---ing sob.” And we couldn’t think of a more perfect way to describe the series ending.

Other Can’t Miss Cast Quotes From The 'The White Lotus' Finale Panel:

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Patrick Schwarzenegger (Saxon Ratliff)

“I think once it happened with Chelsea, I started crying in the theater. I looked over at Charlotte [Le Bon] — it was an emotional moment.”

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Sarah Catherine Cook (Piper Ratliff)

“I was like, ‘Wow everyone in this episode really came to some enlightenment, and she’s trying to get enlightened the whole time.’ Then she’s like, ‘No, I guess I’m spoiled.’ I love that.”

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Sam Nivola (Lochlan Ratliff)

“I've never died in anything before. It was fun to get to do that.”

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Leslie Bibb (Kate Bohr)

“I remember when we were filming because the girls were the first ones to shoot our villa, and we all read the scripts and we were like, ‘Oh, our storyline is boring’....I don't think, honestly, we thought that it was going to take off the way it is.”

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Nicholas Duvernay (Zion Lindsey)

“Finally getting even just a little bit of justice for Tanya was amazing. Amazing to finally, over three seasons, give her that closure, essentially."

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Jon Gries (Greg Hunt)

“I think Season 2 surprised me more somehow. But I guess the enormity of the wealth surprised me.”

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Jason Isaacs (Timothy Ratliff)

“I look at my kids I love in real life, these three, and I love them on screen as well. I think there’s more to them. I doubted them, and they will be fine. They just won’t be fine in gigantic houses with huge Tesla trucks.”

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Dunkin'just dropped a new specialty donut flavor alongside their spring menu, and it’s already got fans in a doozy. Inspired by perhaps the most sugary dessert out there, cotton candy, it’s not hard to see the treat going downhill (AKA being way too sweet). Plenty of Dunkin’ fans are still skeptical about the new flavor – making this the most divisive donut drop in a hot minute.

Read on to learn more about Dunkin’s Cotton Candy donut and the best fan reactions to the new flavor!

Dunkin’

Dunkin’ describes their all-new Cotton Candy Specialty Donut as “asweet throwback for kids and kids at heart.” It’s a filled donut full of cotton candy-flavored buttercream that’s then topped with strawberry icing and blue sprinkles.

But is it really as “whimsical and delicious” as the chain claims? Dunkin’ fans on Reddit had a lot of thoughts.

Reddit

If you’re wondering about the true flavor, one person who tried it reported that it tasted like a combo of bubblegum and cotton candy ice cream. Another person liked that it was “very balanced.”

“Not a fan of cotton candy flavored stuff but this was pretty good or at least better than expected,” one customer reported on Reddit. “The doughnut wasn't overly sweet and I liked that the cotton candy flavor was all in the cream. I also liked how soft the dough was.”

“I really liked how the filling was more fluffy and airy compared to regular donut filling!” another person said. “The cotton candy flavor was quite subtle which I think was for the best lol.”

Reddit

While plenty of people were pleasantly surprised by the Cotton Candy Specialty Donut, others could not find the strength to stomach it.

“Not appetizing to me at all but it looks cute,” someone said.

“I actually think Dunkin's R&D is run by tweens,” another commented. “Cotton candy donut, how ridiculous.”

Dunkin'

This is a treat you just have to try for yourself. No matter what you think about the Cotton Candy Specialty Donut, you can also snag some other great items from Dunkin’ this spring, including the all-new Blueberry Sprinkle MUNCHKINS and Ham & Swiss Pretzel Sliders. They also launched an Arctic Cherry energy drink and brought the famed Dunkalatte for sippers to enjoy!

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Hailee Steinfeld is no stranger to stealing scenes in movies, but her latest role in Ryan Coogler's Sinners is full of sexy and horrifying moments that'll leave audiences begging for more. Based on clips floating around the internet, the historical horror is set to provide a stage for Hailee's bewitching performance. Perhaps what makes us even more intrigued is how delighted the True Grit actress is about playing a character that'll have viewers talking long after the credits roll.

Scroll to see how Hailee Steinfeld feels about Sinners and learn more about the electrifying new movie!

What is 'Sinners' about?

Warner Bros. Pictures

When twin brothers Smoke and Stack return home for a new beginning, they're initially met with welcome arms. But as daylight turns to dusk and gives way to nightfall, unspeakable horrors expose themselves to the townspeople. Evil not only consumes everything in its path, it also changes Smoke and Stack in ways they could've never prepared for.

It's set in the 1930s South which means we'll get dialect, fashion, music, and more themes from that time period.

Who's Hailee Steinfeld starring as?

Warner Bros. Pictures

Hailee Steinfeld will be starring as Mary, the love interest of Stack. Since not much is known about her outside of that, we're assuming their romance is forbidden. What we do know is Hailee's a fan of her character and the overall themes of Sinners.

According to PEOPLE, the actress shared more of her thoughts in her newsletter Beau Society March 28. She wrote, "...This role is far removed from what I've done, but that's part of what drew me to it! I feel like I'm stepping into my own more and more as I get older, and this role mirrors that."

She also shared that it didn't take much for her to be a part of Sinners. "The minute I heard Ryan Coogler, I was in. Then I read his script and was like, 'Holy s---, this feels like a massive undertaking.' The story is so complex and layered," calling herself "fortunate and honored to even be remotely considered." So, how does Hailee Steinfeld feel about Sinners as a whole?

She says it's "thrilling and sexy and daring and dangerous — with bold representations."

Who else is starring in 'Sinners?'

Warner Bros. Pictures

Besides Hailee Steinfeld, Sinners has a robust cast that'll make the storyline even more rousing. In no particular order, viewers will see:

  • Michael B. Jordan as Smoke/Stack
  • Jack O'Connell as Remmick
  • Omar Benson Miller as Cornbread
  • Li Jun Li as Grace
  • Jayme Lawson as Pearline
  • Wunmi Mosaku as Annie
  • Delroy Lindo as Delta Slim
  • Lola Kirke as Joan
  • Miles Caton as Sammy

When can I watch 'Sinners?'

Warner Bros. Pictures

The Sinners movie debuts April 18, 2025, so start planning your trip to your local theater ASAP!

Watch The Official Trailer For 'Sinners'

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Trigger warning: There's a few jump scares in the Sinners movie trailer that feature bloody moments.

We think the tagline for the film says it best: "You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home," (via Warner Bros. Pictures).

Are you ready to see Hailee Steinfeld take on a new daring role in the Sinners movie? Share your thoughts on Facebook!

Spring is finally doing its thing, and one of our most favorite parts of the weather warming up is all the fun foods we can snack on outside, bring to backyard potlucks, and prep for picnics. Luckily, Aldi’s aisles are stuffed with exciting (and affordable!) finds that’ll definitely elevate your springtime grocery game this year.

From sweet snacks (hello, sandwich cookies and Easter candy) to savory dinner bites (mmm, frozen pizza), these 10 new Aldi offerings are not to be missed this April. Plenty of ‘em are limited-time teams, too, so make sure to head to your closest Aldi store ASAP!

Scroll on for the best Aldi finds under $10 to add to your cart this April!

Aldi

Bake Shop Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

Oh em gee. These soft sandwich cookies remind us exactly of the Trader Joe's gingerbread dessert that went viral last year, but spring-ified – and we need 3 packs right now. Stuffed with a generous amount of cream cheese filling, the two chewy carrot cake-flavored cookies in this find suit it up to be the perfect spring snack for Easter Sunday and beyond. Plus, it's just $5 for a dozen!

Aldi

Merci European Chocolate Easter Assortment

Fancy European chocolates for Easter? Well, duh! This medley of individually-wrapped, stick-shaped chocolates from Merci highlight delicious flavors like coffee and cream, hazelnut almond, marzipan, and more for a nice lil' treat. Shop it for just $6!

Aldi

Specially Selected Mac & Cheese Pesto Pasta

While your typical frozen mac can be pretty basic, this $2.45 pesto-infused option in Aldi's frozen meal section is anything but. It highlights the luxe flavor notes of garlic and basil, alongside plenty of melty cheese. You can also find these shells in other varieties like Truffle Porcini Mushroom and Smoked Gouda this spring – yum!

Aldi

Emporium Selection Blueberry Vanilla Goat Cheese

It's giving bougie. It's giving decadent. It's giving unique! This $4 log of goat cheese is marinated in a wonderful blueberry-vanilla coating that lends it to a sweeter flavor – one that pairs extremely well with more savory crackers and salty prosciutto (or any other charcuterie meat you adore) for spring snackin'.

Aldi

Fremont Fish Market Oven Crispy Popcorn Shrimp

The fact that this crispy popcorn shrimp can be ready to eat within literal minutes already has us sold, but the fact that it's also only $6 really seals the deal. This heat-and-eat Aldi find would be perfect for a little outdoor at-home happy hour moment this spring, served alongside some homemade tartar sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon. We're drooling already!

Aldi

Breakfast Best Protein Buttermilk & Vanilla Waffles

You can mention protein once in conversation, and we're going crazy. That's why these new $4 protein-packed frozen waffles from Aldi have us reeling! One serving delivers 12 grams of protein in the form of a deliciously sweet waffle that you could easily enjoy for breakfast or as a stunning midnight snack to hit your personal protein goals!

Aldi

Bake Shop Banana Nut Muffins

Ugh, we are in dire need for a muffin right now. We'll definitely be running to Aldi as soon as humanly possible to add this $4 quartet of banana nut muffins to our cart! Big and bodacious, each one packs in a moist muffin base dotted with flavors of good ol' 'nana and some walnuts for crunch.

Aldi

Mama Cozzi's Thin & Crispy Spinach & Feta Pizza

This $5 find has spinach on it, so it's gotta be healthy, right?! Jokes aside, this frozen pizza topped with greens and feta is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner when you just can't stand to cook anything super intricate this spring. It definitely delivers on seasonal flavors, too, drenched in a lighter white garlic sauce in place of the more-expected marinara.

Aldi

Breakfast Best Chocolate Hazelnut Mini Stuffed Pancakes

Shut up. Shut up! Stuffed pancakes?! Aldi, you're killing it. These $4 mini-sized pancakes are filled with a chocolate-hazelnut spread – reminiscent of your classic Nutella – that qualifies them as a tasty bite for both breakfast and dessert.

Aldi

Sundae Shoppe Dairy Free Lemon Blueberry Sorbet

Lemon and blueberry is a stunning flavor combo come springtime, and the fact that it comes ready to eat in a refreshing sorbet form for $4 from Aldi is just insane. We'll be stocking up to enjoy this one all season long!

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