Dunkin’ Makes Butter Pecan Swirl A Permanent Flavor On the Menu

Exterior of Dunkin' Donuts restaurant
Exterior of Dunkin' Donuts restaurant

Hey Dunkin’ fans! If you love the coffee behemoth’s limited edition Butter Pecan Swirl flavor, get ready: it’s about to become a permanent fixture on the menu.

The Massachusetts-based chain announced on Instagram on April 14th that not only was Butter Pecan Swirl returning on April 26th, but they “might mess around and make it permanent”—pretty much confirming that the beloved flavor is here to stay.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dunkin’ (@dunkin)

Fan Requests Led To Butter Pecan Swirl Becoming Permanent

In a statement, Dunkin’ Chief Marketing Officer Jill McVicar Nelson discussed the decision process that led to Butter Pecan Swirl becoming a staple menu item. “On the 10-year anniversary of Butter Pecan Swirl’s debut, we knew it was time to make this adored flavor a core menu staple. The requests from guests and our Dunkin’ teammates to make this Swirl a regular offering are staggering. We’re thrilled to finally grant their wish, making this a permanent delight for Dunkin’ fans to savor all year long.”

Social media is already thrilled for the change, with customers praising the coffee chain for bringing back the flavor favorite and making it a permanent option. “Just found out that Dunkin is permanently bringing back their butter pecan flavor swirl on April 26 and as someone who’s obsessed w/ their butter pecan iced coffee I am EXCITED,” wrote one Twitter user. “OH MY GOD!!!!!!!” one responder marveled.

Dunkin’ adds and removes items from its menu on a continuous basis, usually seasonally, though some items are at times added or removed permanently. Customers recently lamented the official end of the Dunkaccino’s reign when the chain removed the item after 20 years from its menu. However, perhaps the permanent return of Butter Pecan Swirl can lift customers’ spirits—after all, Dunkin’ said themselves in March, “The Dunkaccino is retired for now, but there’s always the chance for its return in the future.”

Customers Can Enjoy Butter Pecan Swirl In Nearly Any Drink—Permanently

As a flavor swirl, Butter Pecan Swirl can be added to nearly any Dunkin' drink, including their frozen coffee and even "frozen chocolate". For nearly a decade following the flavor's introduction in 2013, Butter Pecan Swirl was a summer-only offering that fans clamored for year-round. According to Dunkin', the flavor features "notes of butter-roasted pecan and sweet cream." Fans have likened the flavor to Dunkin's previous Maple Pecan, as well as to butterscotch. One superfan on Instagram even called it "happiness in a cup".

Adding Butter Pecan Swirl isn't the only change Dunkin' has made to its menu (and operations) recently: the chain rolled out a new rewards program late last year, called Dunkin' Rewards (changed from the original "DD Perks" program). Some customers were unhappy with the changes, however, as many specialty drinks now cost more points—700 for a free cold brew, 900 for a signature latte, and more. Free drinks, without those limitations, had been available with DD Perks for just 200 points.

To criticism of the new Dunkin' Rewards program, Dunkin' president Scott Murphy stated that he understood that "change is always going to be an adjustment," but, in the long run, "Dunkin' loyalists will benefit even more" thanks to more flexibility and additional special perks for the most loyal rewards members.