Following in the footsteps of popular coffee chain Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts is now testing mobile ordering and delivery features in select U.S. markets.
According to a Wednesday press release, the coffee and pastry establishment is currently trialing a new mobile On-the-Go Ordering feature in Portland, Maine, as well as a Dunkin’ Delivery service in Dallas, Texas. The delivery test will expand over the coming weeks to include Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and the District of Columbia, the company said.
For the initial trials, Bloomberg reported that 124 Dunkin’ Donuts locations in Portland will accept advanced customer orders through a smartphone application and approximately 19 locations in Dallas will offer delivery services. Dunkin’ Donuts said Wednesday that app orders can be placed up to 24 hours in advance and can be picked up at either the restaurant counter or drive through window. In-app purchases must be made using a Dunkin’ Donuts card.
According to the On-the-Go FAQ page, the mobile app allows consumers to create a list of their Dunkin’ Donuts “favorites” for expedited ordering. The On-the-Go menu currently only includes items that are available nationally, and may not reflect every location’s full range of offerings. The On-the-Go Ordering app is currently only available for iOS devices.
Dunkin’s other new service, dubbed DoorDash, is currently offering Dallas-area residents delivery of their orders between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Orders are expected to arrive at a customer’s door in less than 45 minutes.
Dunkin’ Donuts executives said the move toward mobile comes as the company works to adapt itself to the needs of consumers in an increasingly technological age.
“We are committed to seeking new ways to make our products even more accessible to our guests throughout the day,” Dunkin’ Donuts’ vice president of Global Consumer Engagement Scott Hudler said. “Both Dunkin’ Delivery and On-the-Go Ordering offer people more convenient ways to enjoy our wide array of food and beverages. The ability to skip the line to order your favorite coffee, donut or sandwich any time of day, or to have Dunkin’ items delivered directly to you are two things that our guests have been requesting for some time.”
Despite the limited scope of the tests, Hudler said Dunkin’ Donuts will “continue to evaluate a possible national rollout for both programs in the future.” The On-the-Go Ordering FAQ page says the company hopes to roll out app ordering on a national scale sometime in 2016.