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Dunkin’ and BARK opened their first-ever official dog drive-thru experience in Quincy, Massachusetts for National Dog Day.
At the Dunkin’ in Quincy for one day only on Wednesday, one drive-thru lane remained open for guests, while the second lane was reserved for dogs to enjoy dog treats and limited-edition BARK x Dunkin’ bandanas, while plush toys from the new BARK x Dunkin’ collection were available with a donation to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation.
“For years, dogs have been riding shotgun on Dunkin’ runs with their favorite humans. This National Dog Day, Dunkin’ is returning the favor,” a press release announcing the initiative reads.
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The plush toys offered this year were inspired by some of Dunkin’s popular menu items, including a Wake-Up Wrap Dog Toy, a Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher & Donuts Dog Toy and a Dunkin’ Iced Signature Latte & Chocolate Frosted Sprinkles Donut Dog Toy.
Now in its seventh year, the partnership has raised more than $15 million for the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation and sold more than one million dog toys.
“Seven years and a million toys later, this tradition has become something dog parents look forward to,” Dave Stangle, Vice President of Brand Marketing at BARK, said in the release. “And it all comes back to the rituals we have with our dogs, that dogs go where their people go. The drive-thru makes that official. This year, dogs aren’t just tagging along, they’re the ones being served.”
The event on Wednesday, dubbed “Dunkin’ for Dogs,” extended beyond the Quincy store, as select Dunkin’ restaurants in New York, California and Illinois offered limited-edition BARK x Dunkin’ bandanas, alongside the new BARK x Dunkin’ plush toys to celebrate National Dog Day on Wednesday.
Donations benefit the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s programs to support children battling illness and hunger, including Dogs for Joy, which places highly trained facility dogs in children’s hospitals across the country. Dogs for Joy grants have supported 54 facility dogs at 37 hospitals across the country.
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These dogs support young patients by teaching them how to take medication, providing comfort during medical intervention and motivating them through treatment.
“The BARK collaboration has become a beloved tradition because it brings together so many things our guests care about: their pets, their communities and giving back,” Mollie Collum, Director of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, said in the release. “Every toy represents an opportunity to help support our programs like Dogs for Joy, and we’re excited to make this year’s celebration even more memorable with Dunkin’s first official dog drive-thru.”
