Not Just Donuts Anymore

The two locations of Dunkin' Donuts at 1230 Mass. Ave. and 65 JFK St. are also independent franchises, not affiliated in any way other than name.

The stores have donuts in common, but that's about all.

The Mass. Ave. store, which also offers Baskin-Robbins ice cream, is located across the street from the Yard and near Adams House. It stands on a path of heavy foot traffic and attracts many take-out customers, including the Sunday post-church crowd.

The JFK Street location is better known as the Eliot Street Caf. Its interior features polished wood and green granite tabletops. With tables also outside on a patio, the store offers seats for a total of 60 customers at any one time. The store is a little more out of the way for shoppers and undergraduates, but is convenient for Kennedy School students.

Operators of both franchises credit their different menus with helping to create a niche and increase their customer base.

Stephen Latzanakis, franchise operator for the Mass. Ave. store, says many customers will buy from both the ice cream and the donut selections.

"The two brands do compliment each other," he says. "There are definitely people who buy coffee and ice cream or a sundae and a donut."

But some don't stop there, Latzanakis says.

"Sometimes they'll even buy a sundae and a donut and coffee," he adds.

And even those who intend to come in for just a morning coffee may leave with a different idea.

"We do have a lot of nice frozen dessert products that could excite someone coming in for coffee," Latzanakis says. "Customers will say, `Look at that flavor--I could get my afternoon snack here too.'"

The JFK Street store also offers a range of products.

Instead of ice cream, it carries a line of hot and cold deli sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches and fresh fruit, as well as espresso and cappuccino.

Duarte "Duke" Carvalho, franchise operator for the store, says these items sell very well, though they can't compete with the standard cup of coffee and donut.