One of the biggest concerns with making food before it’s sold is the possibility of waste and Dunkin is no stranger to waste and the difficulty of forecasting the day’s sales at all of its locations.
At the end of the day there are likely going to be leftover donuts, what does Dunkin do with the donuts that are leftover?
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What Happens To Leftover Dunkin Donuts
Dunkin serves millions of customers every day, and they produce a lot of baked goods. It is natural to wonder what happens to the leftover donuts at the end of the day.
Dunkin Donuts employees are not allowed to take home the leftover donuts.
Instead, the unsold donuts are thrown away at the end of the day. This is due to health and safety regulations, as well as company policy.
Some people have expressed concern about the amount of food waste that is generated by Dunkin Donuts and other food establishments.
However, it is important to note that Dunkin Donuts is not alone in this practice.
Many restaurants and food establishments are required to dispose of unsold food at the end of the day due to health and safety regulations.
While it may seem wasteful to throw away perfectly good donuts, there are reasons why Dunkin Donuts and other establishments have to do so.
For example, donuts that have been sitting out for too long may become stale or dry, and they may not be safe to eat.
Additionally, there are concerns about foodborne illness and contamination, which can be a serious health risk.
Dunkin’ Donuts and Food Waste
Understanding the Issue
Dunkin’ Donuts produces a significant amount of food waste every day.
According to a Newsweek article, a Dunkin’ Donuts employee revealed that her store throws away a shocking amount of food at the end of each day. The video, which went viral on social media, showed boxes of unsold donuts being thrown into the trash.
Food waste is a significant problem in the United States.
The World Food Program USA states that approximately 30 to 40 percent of the food supply in the U.S. is wasted, which works out to more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.
This is a staggering amount of food that could be used to feed millions of people.
Company Policy on Waste
Dunkin’ Donuts has a company policy on waste, and it is committed to lessening food waste.
In 2020, Dunkin’ and National DCP (NDCP), the supply chain management company serving Dunkin’ restaurants, made numerous product donations during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
These donations to partner organizations, including Feeding America, amounted to more than 205,000 pounds of food and over 4,360 gallons of dairy, according to a Dunkin’ Donuts blog post.
However, despite the company’s efforts to reduce waste, Dunkin’ Donuts employees are still instructed to throw away unsold food items at the end of the day, according to In The Know.
This includes donuts, bagels, and other baked goods that are still fresh and edible.
The company does not donate the food or give it away to customers, which has led to criticism from some customers and environmental groups.
Employee Experiences
End of Day Procedures
According to several employees, Dunkin’ Donuts stores have a policy of throwing away all unsold donuts at the end of each day.
In a viral video posted on TikTok, a Dunkin’ Donuts worker showed the amount of waste that her store throws away each day.
The video sparked outrage among customers who were upset about the waste of food.
Dunkin’ Donuts has not publicly commented on the policy of throwing away unsold donuts at the end of each day. However, several employees have spoken out about the issue, saying that it is a common practice at the chain.
Handling Excess Donuts
Some employees have reported that Dunkin’ Donuts stores do try to minimize waste by donating excess donuts to local food banks or charities.
However, this practice is not universal, and it is up to each individual store to decide what to do with unsold donuts.
Public Reactions
Dunkin’ Donuts’ policy of throwing away unsold donuts has sparked a range of reactions from the public, particularly on social media. Here are some of the most noteworthy responses.
Social Media Response
Many social media users have expressed outrage over Dunkin’ Donuts’ policy of throwing away unsold donuts.
A ChefHero research study found that 72 percent of U.S. diners care about a restaurant’s handling of food waste, which makes the majority of reactions on Reddit unsurprising.
Some users have called for the company to donate the donuts to food banks or homeless shelters, while others have suggested that they be given to customers for free or sold at a discount.
Viral Video Controversy
A viral video posted by a Dunkin’ Donuts employee on TikTok in January 2021 showed hundreds of unsold donuts being thrown away in a trash can.
The video sparked outrage online, with many people calling for the company to change its policy.
However, some users defended the company, pointing out that it is a common practice in the food industry to throw away unsold food for safety reasons.
The controversy surrounding Dunkin’ Donuts’ policy of throwing away unsold donuts has continued to generate discussion on social media and other online platforms.
While some people believe that the company should donate the donuts to those in need, others argue that it is necessary to throw them away for safety reasons.
Regardless of the debate, it is clear that Dunkin’ Donuts’ policy has sparked a significant amount of commentary and discussion online.
Comparison with Other Restaurants
Starbucks’ Practices
Starbucks is another popular coffee chain that also sells pastries and other food items.
Unlike Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks has a program in place to donate unsold food items to local food banks and charities.
According to the Starbucks website, the company has donated over 50 million meals through their FoodShare program since 2016.
This program involves partnering with Feeding America and local food banks to distribute unsold food from their stores.
Starbucks also has a goal to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.
To achieve this, they have implemented various measures such as offering smaller portion sizes, using data analytics to better predict customer demand, and partnering with food waste reduction organizations.
General Fast Food Industry Trends
Food waste is a significant issue in the fast food industry.
According to a report by ReFED, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing food waste, restaurants in the United States generate 11.4 million tons of food waste each year. This waste results in significant environmental and economic costs.
To combat this issue, some fast food chains have implemented measures to reduce food waste. For example, McDonald’s has a program in place to donate unsold food items to local food banks and charities. They also have a goal to reduce waste by 50% by 2025.
Other fast food chains, such as Burger King and Wendy’s, have implemented measures to reduce food waste in their supply chain. This includes working with suppliers to reduce overproduction and implementing more efficient inventory management systems.
Donation and Charity Involvement
Dunkin’ Donuts has been known for its commitment to reducing food waste and supporting charitable causes. The company has implemented several initiatives to donate its unsold food items to those in need.
Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
Dunkin’ Donuts adheres to the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, which protects businesses from liability when donating food to nonprofit organizations.
This act encourages companies to donate their excess food items to food banks and other nonprofit organizations to help feed the hungry.
Partnerships with Nonprofits
Dunkin’ Donuts has also partnered with several nonprofit organizations to support their efforts in fighting hunger and food insecurity. T
he company has worked with Feeding America, the world’s largest hunger-relief organization, to donate more than 205,000 pounds of food and over 4,360 gallons of dairy during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 [1].
Moreover, Dunkin’ Donuts supports a targeted group of nonprofit organizations within three focus areas: hunger relief, safety, and children’s health. The company does not accept unsolicited requests for corporate sponsorships or donations, including product donations [2].
Dunkin’ Donuts’ commitment to reducing food waste and supporting charitable causes reflects the company’s values and dedication to making a positive impact in the communities it serves.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Dunkin Donuts throw out donuts?
Dunkin Donuts typically throws out their unsold donuts at the end of the day. The exact time may vary depending on the location, but it is generally around closing time. However, some stores may donate their unsold donuts to local charities or food banks instead of throwing them away.
Does Dunkin Donuts give free donuts at night?
Dunkin Donuts does not typically give out free donuts at night. However, some stores may offer promotions or discounts on unsold donuts to encourage customers to purchase them before they are thrown away.
Does Dunkin Donuts reuse donuts?
Dunkin Donuts does not reuse unsold donuts. Once a donut has been made, it cannot be reused or sold again. However, some stores may use unsold donuts to create other products, such as donut holes or bread pudding, to reduce waste.
