From Round to Twists to Bite-Sized, Dunkin' Donuts Marks 15 Years of Bagels on 'National Bagel Day'

CANTON, Mass., Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As bagel-lovers throughout the world celebrate National Bagel Day today, February 9, Dunkin' Donuts is marking the 15th anniversary of the introduction of freshly-baked bagels at Dunkin' Donuts restaurants throughout the country. To help celebrate this national food holiday and the company's place as the #1 retailer of bagels in the United States*, Dunkin' Donuts is offering brand followers of @DunkinDonuts on Twitter the chance to win a $100 Dunkin' Donuts Card by guessing how many poppy seeds cover a typical Dunkin' Donuts Poppy Seed Bagel, using hashtag #BagelDDay.**

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From round to twisted to bite-sized, Dunkin' Donuts continues to lead the country's bagel innovation. Dunkin' Donuts first launched freshly-baked bagels in 1996, with national advertising pairing the iconic "Fred the Baker" with a former New York City mayor. At the time, Dunkin' Donuts offered 12 varieties of bagels, with prices ranging from 55 to 60 cents. The company has since replaced the Egg and Pumpernickel varieties with a Sour Cream and Onion and a Multigrain Bagel, an excellent source of fiber, with eight grams of total fat per serving.

In April 2010, Dunkin' Donuts' culinary team, led by three-time James Beard Award nominee Executive Chef Stan Frankenthaler, unveiled the Bagel Twist, an innovative new "twist" on the traditional bagel that makes it easier than ever to enjoy a bagel, any time of the day whether you're on-the-go at work or play. Bagel Twists feature Dunkin' Donuts' famous bagels, twisted into a more portable, easy-to-eat shape, perfect for people seeking a delicious snack to keep them running throughout their day. Bagel Twists are available at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in a variety of flavors including Cheddar Cheese, Cinnamon Raisin, Sour Cream and Onion, Pretzel Salt, Blueberry and French Toast. Earlier this month, Dunkin' Donuts expanded the Bagel Twist line with the introduction of the new Chocolate Chip Bagel Twist, which is drizzled with chocolate and filled with chocolate chips, for a suggested retail price of $1.39.

In South Korea, one of Dunkin' Donuts' top-selling international bagel markets, the company has showcased its commitment to bagel innovation with the recent introduction of easy to eat, bite-sized, pop-able bagel snacks. They are currently being sold exclusively at Dunkin' Donuts locations in South Korea in both plain and raisin varieties.  

"National Bagel Day is a great opportunity to recognize Dunkin' Donuts' place in bagel history, as the number one retailer of bagels in the United States," said Dunkin' Brands Executive Chef Stan Frankenthaler.  "From our classic varieties to our unique seasonal varieties, Dunkin' Donuts' freshly-baked bagels are a morning ritual for many of our guests. Bagels are an important part of the Dunkin' Donuts menu, and yet another example of our 60-year baking history and commitment to offer delicious snacks to keep people running throughout the day."

According to Maria Balinska, author of "The Bagel: The Surprising History of a Modest Bread," the boiled then baked bread is a classic rags to riches immigrant's tale. "Bagels came to America as a snack almost exclusively enjoyed by the Jewish community, but by the 1970s 'the roll with the hole' was on its way to becoming an all-American favorite. Millions of bagels are consumed every day across the United States and sales are estimated to be worth over $900 million annually. Now, the bagel is available and popular in such unlikely places as Korea, Japan and Argentina."

To learn more about Dunkin' Donuts, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts).

*According to The NPD Group/CREST®, Dunkin' Donuts was the number one server of bagels at Quick Service Restaurants in Year Ending November 2010.

** Visit http://www.dunkindonuts.com/content/dunkindonuts/en/promotions/socialrules.html for Terms of Use

About Dunkin' Donuts

Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is America's favorite everyday, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin' Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for four years running. The company has more than 9,700 restaurants in 31 countries worldwide. In 2010, Dunkin' Donuts' global system-wide sales were $6 billion. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin' Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin' Brands, Inc. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.  

SOURCE Dunkin' Donuts