Dunkin’ has announced it will stop charging customers extra for nondairy milk.
A spokesman for Inspire Brands, which owns Dunkin’, confirmed the news to TODAY.com.
“Effective March 5, dairy alternatives will be standard options for Dunkin’ beverages at no additional cost to guests,” a Dunkin’s spokesperson said in an email.
“This will allow guests visiting any Dunkin’ location to enjoy traditional dairy or alternative dairy options in any beverage without an additional charge.”
The spokesperson noted the decision was “guided by guest feedback” and said it will make for a better customer experience.
“This enhances Dunkin’s ability to offer guests a wide range of beverage customizations, allowing them to enjoy quality Dunkin’ beverages — their way — at a great value,” they said.
Dunkin’ becomes the latest major chain to make the move. Starbucks announced last October that it was also nixing the charge for nondairy milk in its American and Canadian stores, with the new policy going into effect in early November. That shift followed the decision by Starbucks locations in Europe to do away with the upcharge in 2022 and 2023.
Other major chains like Dutch Bros, Tim Hortons, Scooter’s Coffee and Panera Bread have also nixed the upcharge, per No Milk Tax, nondairy milk advocacy group.
“Core to the Starbucks Experience is the ability to customize your beverage to make it yours. By removing the extra charge for non-dairy milks we’re embracing all the ways our customers enjoy their Starbucks,” Starbucks’ chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said last year in a press release announcing the end of the upcharge.
The Dunkin’ announcement also comes slightly more than a year after it was revealed it was being sued for $5 million in a class action lawsuit for discriminating against lactose-intolerant customers who had to pay extra for nondairy milk.
