'Shook Up And Angry'—A Family-Owned Coffee Drive-Thru Owner Reacts As Dunkin' Opens Its 3rd Location Next Door

Running a small, family-owned business is already a challenge, but having a corporate giant like Dunkin’ DNKN set up shop right next door takes it to another level. That's the reality for one coffee drive-thru owner, who recently shared their frustration on social media and sought advice. The post received significant attention, with over a thousand people offering support and suggestions.

“I’m honestly a little shook up and angry,” the post began. “Does anyone have any advice on how I should approach this or what I should be feeling?”

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The responses poured in, ranging from strategic advice to words of encouragement.

Turn Competition Into Opportunity

Several commenters pointed out that Dunkin’s decision to open nearby could actually validate the location’s potential. One user noted, “They thought the area was good enough for their third location, so it must be great for coffee. Use that to your advantage.” By drawing more coffee lovers to the area, Dunkin’ might unintentionally bring new customers to the local drive-thru as well.

Double Down on Quality

The overwhelming consensus was to focus on what you do best. “Make better coffee, which you probably already do, understand what chains can’t offer and offer that. Cleaner, more comfortable eating area,” one commenter advised. 

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Others suggested emphasizing freshly made products, like pastries and specialty drinks, that big chains simply can’t replicate. “Dunkin’ food and baked goods come packaged and frozen. A good local coffee joint that makes their food fresh every morning will get my business 100% of the time over a franchise like Dunkin, Starbucks or Tim Hortons,” said another.

Lean Into Local Roots

Being a family-owned business offers a competitive edge that corporations can't match. One advice was to highlight community involvement: “I would develop some strong talking points about how you’re local, family-owned, keep the money in the community, etc., where Dunkin’ is a corporation that sends your community’s hard-earned money back to HQ.” Others recommended showcasing the personal side of the business, like the faces behind the counter or stories about how the shop started.

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Be Bold with Marketing

Several responses encouraged creative and even humorous marketing strategies. Ideas included putting up signs like “Support Local” or “Better Coffee, No Drive-Thru Lines.” One user suggested a tongue-in-cheek approach: “Put a sign out front: ‘Fresh 20oz coffee: $2.99 here. 20oz $4.99 coffee go there.'”

This small coffee drive-thru owner's story shows how hard it can be for small businesses to compete when big chains move in. But it also proves how creative and tough local business owners can be. As one commenter wisely said, “Don’t discount customer loyalty … a lot of folks don’t like big corporations coming in to try and hurt small, local businesses.”

Image via Flickr

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