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.