DUNKIN DONUTS (COFFEE) GOES OVER TO THE DARK SIDE

CANTON, Mass. — Dunkin’ Donuts brought its Rainforest Alliance Certified Dark Roast Coffee nationwide this week. The offering made its debut at new restaurants in California last month.

The new coffee variety is served hot or iced, and is available in both packaged coffee and in K-Cup packs.

To help kick off the official nationwide launch of its Dark Roast Coffee, television host Maria Menounos visited the Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant in Santa Monica, Calif. on Monday morning. Menounos, who worked at a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant as a teenager, returned behind the counter for the ceremonial “first pour” of the new offering.

On Sept. 29, National Coffee Day, customers can receive a free medium hot Dark Roast Coffee at participating Dunkin’ Donuts, with a limit of one per customer. Dunkin’ Donuts will also be making National Coffee Day a global celebration, with offers of free coffee on or around the holiday in most of the brand’s international markets as well.

Following the daylong celebration, customers will be able to purchase a medium cup of Dunkin’ Donuts hot Dark Roast Coffee for 99 cents from Sept. 30 through Oct. 5.

In addition, from Sept. 26 through Sept. 29, all varieties of Dunkin’ Donuts’ 16-ounce packaged coffee will be available for $6.99 at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide and online while supplies last. Customers will also be able to purchase any variety of Dunkin’ Donuts K-Cup packs for $6.99 at participating restaurants while supplies last.

“Our Rainforest Alliance Certified Dark Roast Coffee represents an extraordinary innovation for our brand, a unique blend that offers coffee lovers a bold flavor with a smooth finish without bitterness or a burnt taste, which sets it apart from typical darker roast coffees,” said John Costello, president of global marketing and innovation at Dunkin’ Brands. “As the nation’s coffee leader, this is a big step in reinforcing our coffee leadership and our commitment to offering our on-the-go guests unique coffee choices and varieties. We look forward to celebrating National Coffee Day with our fans by serving our new Dark Roast Coffee for free, giving everyone the chance to experience dark roast done right.”

The new Dunkin’ Donuts Dark Roast features the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal, indicating that it is made with at least 30 percent coffee beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods.