January 26, 2008
Dunkin' Donuts coming back to Shanghai
There might be a recession on the way, but American culture is doing just fine. Although we've said nunca más to Taco Bell, but we got the MLB coming our way, Rambo's back in a way that Rocky Balboa could only dream of, and best of all is the surprising news that Dunkin' Donuts is on its way to Shanghai.
We used to be jealous of Hong Kongers because they had Krispy Kreme, but that was just because that was the closest that a Chinese city came to having a real donut and coffee shop. The report states that Shanghai will see less than ten Dunkin' Donuts stores open in Shanghai, but that already is something worth giving thanks for.
However, that leaves us with the nagging question of how much the coffee is going to cost. In the US, certain Starbucks stores in the Seattle area have started selling $1 coffees and offering free refills, and perhaps one of the reasons they are doing that is because they are feeling some pressure from low cost coffee purveyors such as Dunkin' Donuts. Although we have given up on the hope of seeing the establishment of a classless society in our lifetimes, it would be nice if coffee were cheaper and more affordable for those of us with three to six cup a day habits.
Speaking of cheap coffee, we just went back to one of our old haunts, the Mr. Donuts on Huaihai Lu. Remember how back in the day, they used to have free refills of coffee? Well, no more. There really aren't that many places that offer free refills of coffee—the only places we can name off the top of our heads are the diners—City Diner, Moon River Diner, and Steak and Eggs. What other places are there?
|
The donuts in Mr Donut weren't too bad but I haven't been back there since the market closed. It was mainly nostalgia inspired anyway, there was a Mr Donut opposite my office in Japan.
I share Peijin's worries here: if we are going to have a proper coffee/donut shop, can it do cheap, large cup, refillable double doubles and all that.
There's nothing worse than paying over 20rmb for a tiny tea cup of bitter filth.
... well, except maybe taking a shot to the jewels with a baseball bat.
Given that they're planning on opening several stores and already have a significant presence in Asia, hopefully they won't see themselves as God's donut gift to China *coughpizzahuthagendaazikeacough*.
The Mr Donut at Zhongshan Park closed and now Dunkin Donuts is here. I see donut futures climbing in an unprecedented way.
Pei jin,
You fixate way too much on coffee, bro. It's all about the chocolate fry cakes with chocolate frosting. And the maple frosted are a close second.
The coffee is good but there will be no free refills, everyone will have to lobby city market to start importing dd's coffee.
Tim Hortons should come in. That's where I got my fix back when I was trapped in Calgary. Which is a nice place, BTW.
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees
love their donuts!!!
hopefully they are not overpriced
You know what? I like Mr. Donuts' donuts. I find them a very good alternative to Krispy Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts. And there's one across the street from work.
T
Yeah, I was a big fan of the double chocolate - Zhu Gu Ke Ke Li - but alas, being over 30 and wanting to stay thin has put sugar out of the picture.
Now I just dream of the donut days.
Krispi Kremes don't have much flavor, basic DD fry cakes are the way to go if you are looking for flavor with low sugar.
I don't want to dash anyone's hopes, but if it's the same distributor as the Dunkin Donuts stores in Taiwan, forget it. The coffee - terrible. The doughnuts were Mister Donut/Japanese style. And there was no hot chocolate on the menu. Let's hope they do a better in China.
I'd just like to be able to go into a donut place or a 7-11 style store and get the equivalent of a drinkable large sized hot coffee for 50cents or whatever. Know what I mean?
"It's Time to make the Donuts." Flashback!
Dunkin had a few stores in Beijing in the 90s, when they entered China along with 31Flavors. They were a few years ahead of demand, apparently.
Hopefully this next venture will go more smoothly. Krispy Kreme blows.