CANTON, Mass., U.S. – Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc., the parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, has published its 2015-2016 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report.
The report provides a detailed overview of the company’s ongoing efforts to source ingredients responsibly, reduce energy use in corporate holdings, provide more menu transparency and be a force for good in local communities, among others.
The report also details progress made against commitments outlined in Dunkin’ Brands’ most recent CSR report, issued in 2015.
Key highlights of the report include:
- Sustainable Building: In 2014 Dunkin’ Brands launched DD Green™ Achievement, a program designed to help Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees build sustainable, energy-efficient restaurants in the U.S. The company set a goal for 100 DD Green Achievement restaurants by the end of 2016, and reached that milestone in October 2016. There are now approximately 150 DD Green Achievement restaurants around the country. In 2017, Dunkin’ Brands is setting a target to open 500 DD Green Achievement restaurants in the U.S. by the end of 2020.
Since 2010, Dunkin’ Brands experienced a 35% drop in electricity use at its Corporate Headquarters, and a 57% drop in heating and 35% drop in electricity use at its training facility. For the first time ever, Dunkin’ Brands is setting 2020 and 2025 energy reduction goals for its corporate holdings.
- Removal of Synthetic Dyes: To meet customers’ preference for more nutritional transparency and simpler ingredients, in 2017 Dunkin’ Brands announced a goal to remove synthetic dyes from the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins U.S. menus by the end of 2018, with the exception of some supplier-branded ingredients produced by other companies.
Both the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins product development teams, in partnership with suppliers, have been working to replace synthetic dyes.
- Responsible Sourcing: In 2014, Dunkin’ Brands issued its Guidelines for Sourcing Palm Oil, and since then has engaged in a multi-stakeholder effort to source sustainable palm oil – from mapping its U.S. and international supply chains, to instructing U.S. suppliers to purchase certified mass balance palm oil materials for U.S. operations. Dunkin’ Brands also joined the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). In 2017, Dunkin’ Brands plans on releasing revised and updated Guidelines for Sourcing Palm Oil, which will include a goal of fully traceable palm oil to the mill by a timebound date, while continuing to work with suppliers to improve traceability data.
As a coffee leader, Dunkin’ Donuts is committed to incorporating certified products in its coffee portfolio and helping to make a positive impact on farming communities worldwide. In 2017, the brand expanded its current work with the Rainforest Alliance to have all Dunkin’ Donuts’ espresso beverages served at Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. restaurants and in approximately 16 international markets made with 100% espresso beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms.
Dunkin’ Brands issued its new Sustainable Pulp and Paper Sourcing policy in 2016. This includes a goal to source 80% of the packaging used in Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants and Baskin-Robbins restaurants in the U.S. from Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) sources (up from 60% today) by the end of 2018. The policy can be found at http://www.dunkinbrands.com/responsibility/policies-and-statements.
- The Joy In Childhood Foundation℠: Dunkin’ Brands franchisees value the role they can play in strengthening the neighborhoods they serve. In 2016, Dunkin’ Brands re-launched its Foundation with a new mission, vision and name – the Joy in Childhood Foundation – to reflect the company’s continued commitment to providing simple moments of joy to sick and hungry kids. This rebranding coincided with the exciting milestone of the Foundation’s 10-year anniversary. Since 2006, the Joy in Childhood Foundation, formerly The Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation, has granted $14 million to help improve the lives of children and families in the communities where the brand operates.
2016 also marked Dunkin’ Brands’ most successful year ever for its in-store fundraisers, Community Cups℠ and Community Cones℠, which raised $1.3 million thanks to Dunkin’ Donuts’ and Baskin-Robbins’ generous guests.
- Diversity: Finally, Dunkin’ Brands has done a tremendous amount of work to increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace since its last report.
For instance, in 2016, Dunkin’ Brands made a public commitment to developing and paying women equally. Dunkin’ Brands was one of 100+ companies that signed the White House Equal Pay Pledge, and is a member of the Boston Women’s Workforce Council’s 100% Talent Compact. In addition, Dunkin’ Brands launched new employee resource groups (ERGs), which are open to all employees in the organization, to create a more inclusive workplace environment.
“Our newest Corporate Social Responsibility Report shows that Dunkin’ Brands has made important progress in sustainable sourcing and building, energy efficiency, menu transparency and community giving,” said Nigel Travis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dunkin’ Brands.
“We are proud of our successes in helping our franchisees open new DD Green Achievement restaurants, working towards removing synthetic dyes from our menus, expanding our partnership with the Rainforest Alliance, and re-launching our Foundation to provide joy to sick and hungry kids. However, as we both look back and ahead, we recognize how much more there is to be done. We remain dedicated to meeting the challenges that face our business, and to serve our people and our planet responsibly.”
To download and read the report, or to learn more about Dunkin’ Brands’ CSR initiatives, please visit www.dunkinbrands.com/responsibility.
