Some Dunkin’ stores around the country have run out of its signature item.
The AP reported on Jan. 10 that customers in Nebraska, New Mexico, Arizona and elsewhere have visited their local Dunkin’ only to find empty doughnut cases and posted signs explaining the shortage.
“Due to a donut manufacturing error, we currently do not have your favorite donuts at this time,” reads a sign posted on the door of a Dunkin’ shop in West Omaha, Nebraska. “We apologize for this inconvenience. Please enjoy our munchkins in the meantime!”
Similar signs appeared at Arizona stores, also encouraging visitors to opt for Munchkins, the chain’s doughnut-hole treats, for the time being.
Employees in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area confirmed the doughnut deficiency to the AP, and some said that delivery trucks had been arriving without the treats onboard.
On Jan. 9, a user posted on Reddit that there were no doughnuts at the Dunkin’ they visited that day, but didn’t mention the shop’s location.
“Ben Affleck absolutely shaking, crying, throwing up,” joked one commenter, although AP noted that it found no shortage in Boston, Massachusetts — Affleck’s hometown.
Jack D’Amato, a spokesperson for Inspire Brands, told AP that there was an issue with doughnuts from a single supplier that impacted stores in Nebraska and other states, but he didn’t name them.
Bryce Bares, who owns Dunkin’ franchises in Nebraska, told the Omaha World-Herald that some Dunkin’ stores received shipments from suppliers that were not up to standard, telling the outlet, “We refuse to serve our guests subpar donuts.”
D’Amato said Dunkin’ is still investigating the full extent of the issue, although he estimated about 4% of Dunkin’s more than 9,500 U.S. stores were affected.
