What happens when you combine a cute and down to earth TV star with uncannily easy and elegant cooking skills with the donut king Dunkin Donut’s? With any luck, a recipe for success.

For those that have not heard, Rachael Ray will be appearing in a Dunkin’s new ad campaign. They will be serving up a series of TV, print, radio, in-store marketing and personal appearances.

Rachael will also be giving her own ideas for healthy alternatives which should be interesting to see given that it is Dunkin Donut’s. When I first heard about this I thought — Sellout!

But as I reflect on it more, I am really glad to see this happening. Why? Of all the coffee chains I find Dunkin Donut’s to be the least offensive. And here is why:

  • They don’t pretend to be what they aren’t – they sell donuts, they sell coffee. They aren’t hip, they don’t try to be a replacement to independent coffee houses.
  • Their coffee isn’t all that bad, and more importantly, doesn’t cost $5 a cup.
  • I can get a donut or muffin that isn’t stale (Have you ever actually tried a Starbuck’s donut? Brutal.).

So while I would much rather see people go to independent coffee houses, if they absolutely have to go somewhere else, Dunkin Donut’s isn’t a bad second choice. The coffee may not be the best, but they also aren’t trying to kill the independent coffee houses like so many others .

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