Due to my most recent trips to a local Palm Harbor Dunkin Donuts location and the same trips that generated my Dunkin Donuts? Doubt it and Dreadful Dunkin Donuts posts. Neither of those posts about the Dunkin Donuts location located at 33600 US Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL have resolved anything.
After my frustration grew with my most conveniently located Dunkin Donuts location I decided to try out a Krispy Kremes that is located right down the street at 32130 US Highway 19 N Palm Harbor, FL 34684. My plan was two make three trips over a three week period to the Krispy Kremes and avoid stopping at Dunkin Donuts for even coffee at this point. Even with the news that numerous Krispy Kremes are closing I still wanted to give it a shot and see how my experience would compare from down the street at Dunkin Donuts.
I have decided to rate five different areas during my comparison of the two donut providers, I am not saying that the experiences I have had between the two places would be the same experience you would have. My goal here is to satisfy my own various differences between the two by trying to explain them in this head to head review. If you have tried Dunkin Donuts and Krispey Kremes, or would like to share an experience you have had please leave a comment we would love to hear what you have to say.
1. Overall Customer Service
Dunkin Donuts – Honestly the staff at the Dunkin Donuts location always leaves a lot to be desired, the greetings do not exist, the appreciation for choosing them to do business with does not exist and most importantly the sense of urgency to resolve customer complaints does not exist either. This is based on interaction with at least five different Dunkin Donuts employees.
Krispy Kremes – I have only dealt with one associate each of the three times I have been to the local Krispy Kremes location. The first occassion the associate lacked any excitement, no initial greeting in the door and no “Thanks” at the end of the trip. The second time I went in (a week later), the employee was no different than the first time I was in there, hardly anything to brag about. On my third visit the Krispy Kremes employee was a little more friendly than the two previous times, again nothing to jump up and down about.
Krispy Kremes provided the better service overall
2. In Stock Condition
Dunkin Donuts – If you have not had a chance to read my “Dunkin Donuts? Doubt it” post I suggest that you do, that will clearly explain my previous six trips to Dunkin Donuts. To put it simply, they never have any donuts when we go there (see the picture below). I actuallt stopped at Dunkin Donuts today to get two Ice Coffee’s and two Fruit Blasts or whatever they are called, it’s like some icey thing. When I placed my order for two of those, the response I received was “We don’t have that” and that’s it. Safe to say this particular Dunkin Donuts, just doesn’t have it.
Krispy Kremes – Krispy Kremes not only had the donuts we wanted, but they had an abundance of them as well as donuts we didn’t want. The display case was packed with donuts. I have also ordered the Krispy Kremes version of a Berry Fruit Blast as well, which was in stock every single time we ordered it over the three week period.
Krispy Kremes closes the door on Dunkin Donuts when it comes to the in-stock condition of their donut selection and additional products.
3. Freshness of Donuts
Dunkin Donuts – You know it’s been so long since I have actually had a Dunkin Donuts “Donut” due to the fact that they never have the donuts we want in stock when we go. What I do remember about my recent trips to Dunkin Donuts that actually ended with me getting donuts is that the donuts were hardly fresh when we got them.
Krispy Kremes – If I were a Dunkin Donuts franchise manager or corporate associate I would be highly concerned, hands down Krispy Kremes donuts are more fresh when you get them. In addition we ordered three times the amount of donuts on each visit to Krispy Kremes than we did at Dunkin Donuts when we did actually get donuts.
Krispy Kremes are more fresh when you get them. Period.
4. Longevity of Donuts
Dunkin Donuts – The donuts certainly did not have any form of freshness on the second day and by the third day they would sit on the counter until they got chucked out.
Krispy Kremes – The Krispy Kremes donuts also turn out to be a much better value, they last longer… up to a week to be exact, which means the kids have a quick breakfast or snack if they feel like grabbing a fresh donut it’s still there.
Krispy Kremes last longer and maintained that on all three trips.
5. Coffee Taste
Dunkin Donuts – It’s probably a good time for Dunkin Donuts to change their name to Dunkin Coffee, their donut product is a wreck at my local location, Im not sure about others. if it were not for the coffee at Dunkin Donuts it’s safe to say I would never go to a Dunkin Donuts again. Now if Dunkin Donuts could get their staff to understand “Double Cream and Double Sugar” I would be sold on going there just for the coffee when I am in the mood. It’s just too bad Double Cream and Double sugar at my local Dunkin Donuts is more like 1/2 cream 1/2 sugar.
Krispy Kremes – I have tried on all three occassions to get myself to believe that I was just as satisfied with the Krispey Kremes Ice Coffee’s as I am with the Dunkin Donuts Ice Coffee’s, sadly thats just not true. The Krispy kremes coffee’s are smaller, when packed with ice it really doesn’t give you a decent amount of coffee. The taste also does not come close to Dunkin Donuts Ice Coffee or Hot coffee drinks.
Dunkin Donuts has the key on Coffee.
I guess now that my study is done and I have probably put on an additional 800lbs thanks to the delicious Krispy Kremes donuts I have been able to shove in my face over the last three weeks, I guess it’s safe to say I am sold in Krispy kremes. This makes me wonder, is Krispy Kremes going to go down? If so it would be terrible, their donuts are phenominal, the selection is excellent and they are a better value in the look run. I hope the Krispy Kremes in palm Harbor doesn’t close down, it would be a shame they have a good thing going there, but their location is not half as visible as the Dunkin Donuts location.
Coffee Review from Daily Shot of Coffee
Daily Shot of Coffee - Coffee Reviews
If you love your coffee I suggest checking out @shotofcoffee (A.k.a Mike) and his site Daily Shot of Coffee for the most honest and down to earth coffee reviews and coffee information. Mike also has some excellent posts on the Coffee Wars that are currently going on.
I had mentioned above that I stopped at the local Dunkin Donuts today to grab a couple of coffee’s and some frozen fruit drinks. As I went through the drive thru and dealt with one of the worst customer service providers I have had the chance to deal with there or anywhere in recent times, I decided to snap a picture of something funny in the Dunkin Donuts Drive Thru. A cup that says “Tips, Thank You” here’s the picture I took with my cell phone.
Picture of a “Tip Cup” at the Palm Harbor Dunkin Donuts
In order to give you an idea of the donut selection you can expect to see at the Palm Harbor Dunkin Donuts any given day of the week around 3:45pm the pictures of the empty Dunkin Donuts racks should give you an idea. If your looking for a Bagel, a Boston Creme, Jelly or Strawberry Frosted you are going to be out of luck.
Picture of empty Dunkin Donuts racks at 3:45pm
I would love to hear your Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kremes stories or just some feedback on this article, please feel free to leave a comment.
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
Gross and gross. Absolutely anyone that knows me knows I despise donuts. The smell of them makes me want to vomit. I would only eat them if I were starving to death and that was all there was to eat. I would probably eat them so fast I wouldn’t even taste the disgust that is a donut. Yuk.
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I am very sorry for your loss, you have no idea what your missing out on. Donuts are yummy…. When purchased from the right place ;)
I can understand your point somewhat, I hate all condiments that are liquid in nature, with the exception of maybe one.
I think you’re all wrong about the Krispy Kreme coffee, it’s such a better quality that it isn’t even funny. Yeah, I wish the size was larger for the large, but at least it doesn’t all melt and become diluted by the time it’s done.
I’ve had thoughts about going back and giving DD’s a shot, but yeah you just gave me a lot of reasons to not go back. They obviously don’t want our money.
Mike’s last blog post..What I’m Drinking – McDonald’s Iced Mocha (Take 2)
@Mike…. Actuuuuually they do want our money (refer to “Tips” picture).
I think overall Mike your right about the coffee, however it has more of a bold taste (im not the coffee king), I typically like my coffee super milked and super sugared.
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I can’t really drink coffee as much as I love it because it makes me jump off the walls like a 2-year-old that had too much candy, but when I do drink it I love it with a lot of cream and A LOT of sugar. I find that a good old fashioned cup made at home is often the best. In regard to the ‘yummy’ donuts John I have been fair and gave them a shot, but I just think they are SO gross. And the smell! YUK. More for you guys
Christina Bledsoe’s last blog post..Kris Allen Wins American Idol Season 8
@TheStarCeleb I am just amazed, I don’t believe I have ever met anyone that did not like donuts. Crazy I tell ya.
Oh, I was JUST thinking about Krispy Kreme. I miss it.
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Yeah, I am a fan of Krispy Kremes . I like it’s taste and surely it’s providing the better service.
@Lajay makes two of us
I like bothKrispy Kremes and Dunkin Donuts, I cann’t tell one is better than other. but most of my friends likes Krispy Kremes more.
I wonder about the way you test the freshness of donuts. Any suggestion?
@Lance it’s really hard for me to say, I never really looked into it before. I do remember from working at Dunkin Donuts in my youth that the yellow paper and the pink paper that was under the donuts would be to help the associates know when to change the donuts out.
Example:
Night shift 2am makes donuts for 6am on Pink Paper
Afternoon shift 2pm makes donuts on Yellow paper
Both are good, but I have to admit I am partial to the Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I especially like them warm. They are also easier to find, because you can get them at your local supermarket, whereas Dunkin Donuts just sells them in their stores.
The Krispys being in our supermarket sure helps, but I have never been a big Dunkin fan. THe donut is just so cakey and dry.
My favorite thing about the Krispy Kreme stores: The Hot Sign/Light. There’s just something about a donut hot out of the grease. Mmmmm…
I think you gave Dunkin a fair shot, John, and they flunked the test. Long live the king of donuts.
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I’m with you John, I like Krispy Kremes donut much better, more flavor and Krispier.
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Although there is a lot to be said about warm donuts, I think Dunkin Donuts has a bigger selection. For example, I don’t think Krispy Kreme makes a sour cream donut.
I’m a fan of Dunkin Doughnuts munchkins. Once I get a box of them, I can’t put them down!
Yall must be crazy to think that winney dunkins are the best.
its ALWAYS KRISPY KREME
Krispy kreme is the best . Yall just dont know
Krispy kreme is the best
I am so late finding this post. I did a Krispy Kreme v. Dunkins google search after having yet another lack-luster and very DRY donut at Dunkin’s. I live in Boston, and they opened one Krispy Kreme in the area around 2003-2004. But it was closed down during the No-Carb-craze (darn that Atkins diet) . You are a Lucky Man! I hope you continue to enjoy Kripsy’s.
If you like a sweet sickening glaze donut which is all Krispy Kreme sells then go there and get sick. But if you like a variety of donuts glazed, powdered, plain, not to mention bagels, muffins, cruellers, and flatbreads plus the best coffee in the US then Dunkin Donuts is the place for you.
@Lou, hi Lou and thank you for taking the time to comment. I would love to agree with you, I even worked at Dunkin Donuts about 1000 years ago, but the reality is that the Dunkin Donuts by my house is a disaster. I’m sure the donuts you talk about would be very good, I wouldn’t have any idea because the DD by my house is forever out of stock on everything. I have yet to go there and have an order be 100% complete, ever… that’s pretty crazy when you consider I have lived here for 4 years and been there at least 100 times. That’s crazy.
My local Krispy Kremes makes my local Dunkin Donuts look silly, and they have all of the donuts you mentioned above. I don’t care i they have bagels, I don’t even take the bagels serious because they never have them when I go. Hands down this is a Krispy Kremes town.
Ok, So KKD needs like, an A&P 8:00 O’clock Coffee. Simple!
And mabe a lettle less transfat (or ZERO) Simple!
I see a $40 stock
I know this is from a while ago, but yeah, your experiences with Dunkin Donuts vs. Krispy Kremes were also my experiences, albeit in different locations (the Dunkin Donuts in NJ were much better, but I’m not thrilled with product quality; Krispy Kremes in TX were amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing). And I don’t know much about the coffee: I just drink Starbucks.
Still, excellent post, and I just put it on Stumbleupon.
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Just stumbled your article- the Dunkin Donuts near me is worthless, they close at 9pm for starters (huh??), and seem to have about 8 total donuts available at any time of the day. I’m glad there isn’t a decent Krispy Kreme around because I will literally eat a dozen of them before I realize how sick I am- then turn around and do it again 3 days later. mmmmm krispy kremes…
@Mememe, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment I really appreciate it, as for the Dunkin Donuts… it really closes at 9? That’s pretty wild, so much for anyone that might work night’s huh?
As for the Krispy Kremes… I can associate haha.
I just stumbled on this post. I like Krispy Kreme far more than Dunkin Donuts. I never actually had a Dunkin Donut until this year when they finally got one in my town. My mother who grew up near a DD would always rave about it. So, when we finally got one, we tried it out, and we were both disappointed. The doughnuts were heavy, like bad pound cakes. They just weren’t good. KK is always light and fresh. My mother wants to go back and give DD another try. I told her to just cut her losses and come over to the Krispy Kreme side. In my mind there’s no comparison.
@Al, I would agree the DD donuts are heavy like a bad pound cake, great analogy.
Hey. Found this on a google search because I was curious if this was the case everywhere else, or just here.
I live in Winston-Salem, NC (home of Krispy Kreme, the original) and I swear by them. Every time I’ve been to a Dunkin’ Donuts, the doughnuts I received tasted like they were either already stale, or somebody accidentally put a whole bag of flour into them. I think it’s a ploy to get people to try their coffee.
KK is always moist and fluffy, not bready like DD. Hands down, you’ve proved to me that Dunkin’ Donuts should just go out of business.