DUNKIN’ DONUTS AND THE 4 Ps
Learning Objectives
Describe the issue or problem.
Complete a SWOT analysis.
Describe the four Ps of marketing.
Develop an action plan.
Key people and companies
John Costello – President, Global Marketing and Innovation for Dunkin’ Brands
Overview
Coffee and donuts: what’s a more natural combination? Dunkin’ Donuts participates in two of the most popular segments of dining out, coffee and breakfast. Dunkin’ uses marketing to differentiate its brand by focusing on the Four Ps: Product, Place, Price, and Promotion. Dunkin’s brand purpose is to get you up and running in the morning and help keep you running all day long. They do this by providing the best combination of coffee beverages and food at a great value in a fast, friendly and convenient location. Dunkin’ takes pride in offering an exceptional quality coffee. They call their product development strategy familiar with a twist; along with their regular offerings they like to provide seasonal varieties of their coffees. Convenient locations are also a very important consideration for Dunkin’ and most locations have a drive thru. Reasonable pricing, special offers and DD perks are part of Dunkin’s pricing strategy. Dunkin’ uses their mobile app to offer national and local promotions. By understanding their customers, serving a high-quality reasonably priced product at convenient locations, and mixing in some fun promotions, Dunkin’ Donuts has earned loyal fans.
Major issues in the case
The 4 Ps – product, price, place, promotion
The marketing mix and the marketing environment
The Emerging Mobile/On-Demand Marketing
Video Case: DUNKIN’ DONUTS AND THE 4 Ps
For more than 60 years, Dunkin’ Donuts has been a popular spot to grab a quick coffee and donut breakfast. But while these core products have allowed the company to flourish for decades, Dunkin’ Donuts must also update their offerings regularly to keep up with current tastes. After all, not many people these days rely on a simple cup of coffee to get them going in the morning. Many modern consumers drink coffee throughout the day and enjoy variations including iced coffee, espressos, and flavored blends like hazelnut.
The increasing popularity of coffee has also brought a bevy of competitors into the breakfast market that Dunkin’ Donuts deals with on a daily basis. That’s why the company makes extensive use of marketing to make their brand stand out. This video highlights the four Ps of marketing—product, price, place, and promotion—and shows how Dunkin’ Donuts utilizes the marketing mix effectively.
At Dunkin’ Donuts, everything starts with the product. If the coffee or food does not meet the customer’s expectations, the chance of developing brand loyalty is lost. Dunkin’ Donuts regularly develops and tests new products in order to understand what people want. For example, consumer research convinced the company to start offering seasonal blends like pumpkin spice coffee.
Place is another critical part of Dunkin’s success. The company studies where people live, work, play, and go to school in order to make sure their stores are located in convenient spots. Dunkin’ Donuts tries to place its stores on the right side of the road so customers can easily stop by on their way to work. They also provide drive-thru locations that allow customers to visit at any time during the day. Ultimately, Dunkin’ Donuts knows they will lose out to competitors if their stores are not located where customers want them to be.
The company also makes sure their high-quality products are available at reasonable prices. Dunkin’ Donuts offers everyday value pricing along with special deals to encourage consumers to try new items. The DD Perks program lets customers accumulate loyalty points for every purchase they make. When a person collects enough points, they receive a free coffee. Sales promotions at Dunkin’ Donuts are generally offered through their mobile app. The company also ties in with local sports teams for special giveaways. Dunkin’ Donuts views its approach to marketing as one that is focused on developing, cultivating, and expanding customer relationships.
Dunkin’ Donuts demonstrates the full range of marketing activities, including the use of social media and market research to promote and sustain their brand. This video also shows how important relationship marketing has been to Dunkin’s success. And as long as the company remains committed to the 4 Ps of marketing, Dunkin’ Donuts should continue to thrive in the increasingly competitive world of breakfast and coffee.
Instructions:
Watch the following video – Video Time: 4:50 – Nickels12e_Ch13_DunkinDonuts_MASTER (viddler.com)Links to an external site.
Answer the following four questions in at least two full APA formatted pages: APA 7 Template.docxDownload APA 7 Template.docx
1. Describe Dunkin Donuts issues or problems to be solved.
2. Describe Dunkin Donuts Situation (SWOT) Analysis by explaining at least three items for each element (explain 3 strengths, 3 weaknesses, 3 opportunities, and 3 threats).
3. Describe how you would approach the Marketing Mix for Dunkin Donuts (the 4 Ps).
4. Provide an action plan for this case.
Your paper should include a title page, introduction and conclusion paragraphs, APA formatted paragraph headings for each of the prompts above, a reference page with at least two scholarly references listed, and in-text citations within the body of the paper to show where you used the references listed on the reference page and any quoted information.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|