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Mixed Reactions to Dunkin Donuts' Drink Renaming: A Marketing Triumph or a Misstep?

Mar 22, 2024 07:08 AM EDT | By Jep Collins

Men sitting outside Dunkin

(Photo : Pexels'HenryDixon)

This Tuesday, Dunkin' announced on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, that they've given a popular iced coffee drink a new name for the spring season. This change has sparked much discussion and disagreement among fans on the internet.

Dunkin' Embraces "Short King Spring" with Rename

Dunkin' just declared that "Short King Spring" has arrived. In a fun twist, they've renamed their small iced coffee to "Short King" on the Dunkin' app. "Tag someone you're celebrating with," they added in their announcement.

The coffee chain didn't stop at just a name change. They shared a picture showing what "Short King" looks like on their app and website. Dunkin' explained the idea behind the new name with a simple message: "Because sometimes you don't need a large or even a medium, you just need a Short King."

"Short King" is a phrase used to praise men who are confident and proud, regardless of their height. Though not everyone sees it positively, it's a way to show affection towards friends and loved ones.

Dunkin's decision to rename its small iced coffee to "Short King" has led to varied opinions among its customers on X. While some appreciate the attempt to connect with younger audiences, others criticize the move, suggesting the brand might be trying too hard to stay trendy. This has sparked quite a discussion and some disapproval from the public.

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Dunkin's "Short King" Renaming Gets Mixed Feedback

Dunkin Drink

(Photo : Pexels/AbKazaam)

"Stop trying to be cool," a customer commented, capturing the sentiment of several Dunkin' patrons who are less than impressed with the chain's latest marketing move.

"Dude, I just want $2 iced coffees back," another customer expressed frustration over the changes.

Some have even taken the renaming as a personal insult. "This is body shaming," one person declared, while another suggested, "How about you make a 'FAT QUEEN' drink and make this equal?"

Despite these criticisms, many Dunkin' fans openly welcomed the new name

One admirer hailed it as "spectacular marketing." Another proudly stated, "I speak for short kings everywhere when I say thank you." A third supporter found the change hilarious, commenting, "This is the best," accompanied by crying laughing emojis.

Following Dunkin's cue, numerous customers engaged in light-hearted banter, tagging their friends in posts to share a laugh and perhaps even a "Short King" drink.

Last month, Dunkin' caught the public's eye by introducing a brand-new set of drinks named Sparkd' Energy. This move came right after Panera Bread faced several legal actions tied to its energy drink offerings.

One serious incident involved a college student with a heart condition who passed away after consuming Panera Bread's Charged Lemonade, as reported by KTLA. The student's parents sued Panera, arguing the drink was "dangerous" for containing more caffeine than a Red Bull and a Monster energy drink combined.

Further concerns arose when another individual died following the consumption of three Charged Lemonades, and a woman claimed the drink led to permanent heart damage.

Panera's Charged Lemonade is notably strong, with up to 234 mg of caffeine in a 30-ounce serving. Despite these issues, Panera continues to sell three variations of "charged" beverages on its website.

In contrast, Dunkin's Sparkd' Energy drinks present a less potent option, with the medium size containing 144 mg of caffeine and the large size offering 192 mg.

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