Dunkin’ Stores Are Mysteriously Missing Doughnuts — And No One Knows Why

Dunkin’ stores across Nebraska are at the heart of a doughnut mystery. Namely, customers have been asking, “Where are the doughnuts?”

According to The Independent, last week, Dunkin’ locations in Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island, Nebraska, displayed notices on their doors and drive-thru kiosks alerting patrons that the pastries were unavailable “due to a manufacturing error.” By the week’s end, several places served “Munchkins,” or doughnut holes.

After working an overnight shift as a phlebotomist, Tyler Raikar of Omaha stopped by a Dunkin’ in West Omaha for coffee and a chocolate cake doughnut.

“What? No doughnuts! That’s tragic!” she said when she learned the location had no sweet treats.

Citing directives from Dunkin’s corporate headquarters, a manager at the Dunkin’ outlet in West Omaha stated that she was unable to provide any details regarding the reason for the shortfall. The manager, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the scarcity was a nationwide issue.

However, inspections of other areas, such as Boston, where Dunkin’ has a cult-like following, and St. Joseph, Missouri, revealed an abundance of the confections.

Bryce Bares, the owner of multiple Dunkin’ franchises in Nebraska, did not immediately respond to calls or emails. He informed another outlet that some stores “received products from suppliers that were not up to standard and that he would not serve them to customers.” Additionally, Bares stated that the issue has been fixed by the supply partners and that doughnuts should soon be available in his Nebraska sites once more.

Staten Island Runs on Dunkin’

In other news, the popular coffee and doughnut chain recently announced that it will soon offer a limited menu on the Staten Island Ferry.

By initially providing coffee, doughnuts, and other snacks to New York commuters, the New England-based coffee company will close a gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two ferries, Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis and Dorothy Day, were the first to implement the service, with the rest of the fleet planned to follow suit this year, according to the New York City Department of Transportation.

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A franchisee will operate the business, according to the coffee company, which also obtained the rights to the alcohol concession on the boats.

“We are pleased that the concession is returning after many years of staying vacant,” Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said in a statement at the time of the original announcement. “We believe the concession is a nice convenience for ferry riders.”