America may be running on Dunkin’ again. Dunkin’ Donuts, a division of Dunkin’ Brands reported Thursday that same-store sales in the U.S. rose 2% in the first-quarter after a surprising decline in the fourth quarter of last year. The strength was spurred by interest in more expensive espresso beverages and limited-time breakfast foods such as a new breakfast burrito, Dunkin’ Brands Chairman and CEO Nigel Travis explained in an interview with TheStreet. Traffic to Dunkin’s restaurants increased in the quarter along with a gain in the average amount spent per customer. Strength at Dunkin’ in the U.S., where it operates over 8,500 restaurants, helped the company deliver better-than-expected first-quarter earnings of 44 cents a share compared to estimates for 43 cents a share. Meanwhile, Baskin-Robbins saw a 5% same-store sales increase in the U.S. as it benefited from people ordering cakes online and eating more ice cream during a warmer-than-average winter. The coffee and donut chain also said it will launch its new On-the-Go mobile ordering technology throughout its 1,650 metro New York locations by mid-May, taking aim at the success rival Starbucks has had with similar technology. Travis said Dunkin has also moved aggressively to market its rewards program during a period of consumer outrage with changes made to Starbucks’ popular rewards program. TheStreet’s Brian Sozzi reports from New York City.
Subscribe to TheStreetTV on YouTube:
For more content from TheStreet visit:
Check out all our videos:
Follow TheStreet on Twitter:
Like TheStreet on Facebook:
Follow TheStreet on LinkedIn:
Follow TheStreet on Google+:
source
