Ready-to-drink Dunkin' Donuts coffee coming to store shelves

CANTON, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts is looking to increase its brand relevance with existing and new consumers by introducing its first line of Dunkin' Donuts branded ready-to-drink coffee beverages in the United States in early 2017.

The company has entered into an agreement with the Coca-Cola Company, which will manufacture, distribute and sell the product.

This marks Dunkin' Donuts' first entry into the ready-to-drink coffee category, which has enjoyed very strong growth over the past five years and represents $2.3 billion dollars in annual sales, according to Nielsen. The agreement supports Dunkin' Donuts' goal of strengthening its position as a coffee authority and further extends the Dunkin' Donuts brand into new distribution channels.

"We are delighted to be working with The Coca-Cola Company, a world-class partner that will provide us with world-class consumer access, by bringing ready-to-drink Dunkin' Donuts coffee to the refrigerator cases of grocery, convenience stores and mass merchandisers, as well as inside Dunkin' Donuts restaurants, across the United States," said Dunkin' Brands Chairman and CEO Nigel Travis. "This new product introduction will increase consumption of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, which we believe will in turn, drive incremental visits to our restaurants."

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The Coca-Cola Company will produce Dunkin' Donuts ready-to-drink coffee beverages according to Dunkin' Donuts specifications, including using high-quality Arabica coffee blends. Coca-Cola's extensive network of bottling partners will sell and distribute Dunkin' Donuts ready-to-drink beverages, which will include real milk and sugar in a variety of flavors.