News: Dunkin' Donuts - New Hot & Spicy Breakfast Sandwich and Wrap

Today, Dunkin' Donuts introduces a new, limited-time Hot & Spicy Breakfast Sandwich coupled with a corresponding wrap version.

The new sandwich features an omelet with jalapeno peppers, red bell peppers and pepper jack cheese (with habanero peppers), two slices of bacon, and a slice of white cheddar cheese on a plain bagel.

The Hot & Spicy Wake-Up Wrap consists of one-half of the same spicy omelet, one slice of bacon, and a slice of white cheddar cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla.

The suggested retail price on the Hot & Spicy Breakfast Sandwich is $3.79 and the suggested price for the Hot & Spicy Wake-Up Wrap is $1.69.

Both are available through August at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide.

For more information regarding the sandwich, here's a Q&A with Chef Stan Frankenthaler, Executive Chef and Vice President of Product Innovation at Dunkin' Brands, regarding its development:

Brand Eating: What was the inspiration for the new sandwich?

Chef Stan: When developing new menu items, we always take feedback from our guests into account in order to introduce the best products to suit their tastes. Our guests have told us that they are interested in bold, spicier flavors, and we wanted to deliver this to them.

The Hot & Spicy Breakfast Sandwich represents a familiar format—somewhat similar to some of the breakfast sandwiches on our permanent menu—but with a twist of hotter, bolder flavors. The spicy taste profile is definitely growing in popularity among consumers in the industry at large, and we thought this would be a great way to introduce it to our menu.

Brand Eating: Why go with a spicy sandwich/wrap option during the summer where it's hot and a time when some customers might not be so inclined to eat spicy things?

Chef Stan: While we are aware that some consumers will not be attracted to an item that has a spicier taste profile, we feel confident that those looking to try the Hot & Spicy Breakfast Sandwich and Wrap for its bold and fresh flavors, and hotter taste profile, will enjoy it (translation: some people like spicy things when it's hot).

Brand Eating: Did regional considerations factor into the development of the sandwich? Like were certain ingredients nixed or added with regional palates in mind? What were some other ideas thrown about?

Chef Stan: When we create new menu items, the culinary team goes through a rigorous development process to be sure that we are serving the best-tasting product possible to our guests. For the Hot & Spicy Breakfast Sandwich, a lot of different flavor combinations and spice levels were considered, but it is ultimately keeping the consumer in mind that guides our final product. The sandwich represents a really nice blend of flavors, featuring jalapeno and bell peppers, as well as jack cheese with habanero peppers. We think the flavors complement each other and combine to create a flavorful and delicious-tasting product that is perfect for on-the-go guests seeking some spice.

Brand Eating: Was a healthy version for Dunkin's DDSMART line considered?

Chef Stan: For this particular sandwich, we felt that the wrap alternative to the sandwich was an ideal option, as it would give our guests more choice while also having broader appeal.

Brand Eating: Has Dunkin' ever considered releasing a spicy donut?

Chef Stan: We are always experimenting with unique flavor combinations as we try to create fun and interesting products for our guests; however, at this time we do not have plans to release a spicy donut.

However, internationally, we do have some interesting savory donut options. For example, the Kai Yong Donut in Thailand features a traditional glazed donut topped with dried, shredded chicken and finished with a drizzle of Thai chili paste.

Photo Credit: Dunkin' Donuts

Nutritional Info - Dunkin' Donuts Hot & Spicy Breakfast Sandwich (220g)
Calories - 550 (from Fat - 160)
Fat - 18g (Saturated Fat - 8g)
Sodium - 1330mg
Carbs - 68g (Sugar - 8g)
Protein - 28g

Nutritional Info - Dunkin' Donuts Hot & Spicy Wake-Up Wrap (76g)
Calories - 190 (from Fat - 100)
Fat - 11g (Saturated Fat - 4.5g)
Sodium - 500mg
Carbs - 14g (Sugar - 1g)
Protein - 10g