Dunkin’ Donuts unveils ‘Sweet & Salted’ coffee, new breakfast items

Dunkin’ Donuts shops throughout southwest Ohio this week introduced several new and seasonal items, including a Sweet & Salted Cold Brew coffee, a Vanilla Truffle Donut, a Shamrock Sprinkle Donut, a Chocolate-Filled Croissant, and a breakfast option called the “GranDDe Burrito.”

The coffee and breakfast chain has been expanding throughout the region. The greater Dayton area’s sixth Dunkin’ Donuts shop opened last October at 1310 Woodman Drive in Riverside. It is the fifth Dayton-area location launched by franchise owner Pat Gilligan, who is responsible for reinvigorating the Dunkin’ Donuts brand in southwest Ohio. In less than three years, Gilligan opened new Dunkin’ Donuts shops in Sugarcreek Twp., Springfield, Kettering, and Centerville.

RELATED: Ribbon-cutting today for Dayton area’s newest doughnut shop (November 2016)

The chain’s new Sweet & Salted Cold Brew, available for a limited time, features Dunkin’ Donuts’ signature Cold Brew sweetened with liquid cane sugar and a proprietary salted whipped topping, according to a Dunkin’ Donuts release.

Dunkin’s March menu also marks the debut of the Vanilla Truffle Donut, filled with vanilla-flavored buttercream and frosted with chocolate icing topped with white and dark chocolate curls. The Shamrock Sprinkle Donut returns to the menu, frosted with chocolate icing and topped with shamrock sprinkles, along with a Chocolate-Filled Croissant, filled with dark chocolate, served warm. All are available for a limited time.

Also returning is the GranDDe Burrito, which Dunkin’ Donuts officials describe as a 10-ounce burrito consisting of a tortilla filled with a spicy omelet with jalapenos, red bell peppers and pepper jack cheese with habanero, with a rice and bean blend that also includes corn, roasted peppers and onions. It is served in both sausage and veggie versions.

In addition, The coffee and breakfast chain is offering a bonus for members of its DD Perks Reward Program, awarding 20 extra points for any hot or iced coffee purchased through March 26.

RELATED: Dunkin’ Donuts to open 13 new Dayton-area locations (February 2013)

Prior to Gilligan’s franchise deal, Dunkin’ Donuts’ once-robust presence in the Dayton area had shrunk to one location on Springboro Pike (Ohio 741) near the Dayton Mall, which operates under separate franchise ownership.

Gilligan told this news outlet last year that he plans to open two Dunkin’ Donuts a year in the Dayton region, in part because customer reaction to his first four Dayton-area shops has been strong. Gilligan also oversees Dunkin’ Donuts franchises in the Cincinnati area.

There is no specific target number of locations or timetable to reach a certain number of stores. “We don’t have a ceiling. We’ll just continue with our prudent expansion,” Gilligan said.

Originally a doughnut and coffee chain, Dunkin’ Donuts has expanded its offerings in recent years to include frozen and iced beverages as well as bagels, muffins, breakfast sandwiches, bakery sandwiches and wraps.

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