Dunkin’ prospects rage over allegations baristas are ordered to not fill cups to top: ‘I’ve began going to McDonald’s for my iced coffees’

A Facebook publish purporting to show Dunkin’ instructing baristas not to fill iced beverages all the way to the top — even when prospects ask for less ice — has enraged patrons.
The alleged leak, anonymously shared Monday in the Dunkin’ World Facebook group, appeared to show particular pour ranges for dozens of drinks including iced lattes, macchiatos, matchas, chai drinks, cappuccinos, Americanos and shaken espressos.
The picture posted to the group, which has more than 567,000 members, confirmed cups marked with an “ice line” that the directions said ought to information all iced-beverage pours.
Dunkin’ prospects erupted in anger this week after an nameless Facebook consumer posted an alleged inside chart exhibiting baristas are instructed to not fill iced drinks to the top — even when prospects ask for less ice. Facebook/Dunkinâ World
Under the alleged guidelines, employees are told to pour the same quantity of liquid regardless of whether or not prospects request common ice, less ice or no ice in any respect.
The Facebook consumer who posted the photograph claimed the sheet mirrored a “new policy” for the chain previously often known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
Some commenters who recognized themselves as staff said online that the directions have been authentic.
The Post has sought remark from Dunkin’.
Dunkin’ baristas wrote on Facebook that these guidelines have been customary fare for fairly a while. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group through Getty Images
The Facebook publish sparked lots of of replies. Several customers claiming to be baristas said they comply with the fill-line directions and can’t increase the quantity of milk or espresso without ringing up an additional charge.
Others equally insisted that many shops will top off a cup however only if prospects comply with pay for the extra product.
Some commenters blasted Dunkin’ as stingy and vowed to take their business elsewhere.
“Starbucks, Dunkin caught on to the hack of no ice lol. They trying to give us less for the amount we pay. Prices go up, but product amount decreases lol,” wrote a consumer named HersheyChriss.
Another, Renee Keown, wrote: “I hate to say this in this group, but I’ve started going to McDonald’s for my everyday iced coffees. They don’t fill it to the top with ice leaving you with 2 ounces of coffee, it honestly tastes amazing when you add an extra pump of flavor and an extra cream, and you can get a large for 99 cents! […] [Dunkin’s] prices are going up and we get less and less product.”
“We stopped going to dunkin long time ago because of this. Starbucks doesnt do this crap,” Valarie Staats shared.
Others jumped in to defend the chain and its workers.
Some commenters blasted Dunkin’ as stingy and vowed to take their business elsewhere. Business Wire
“This has actually been a policy for a long time on the corporate level. A lot of stores ignore it but corporate is probably reiterating this because they now want locations to enforce this policy,” wrote Dawn Juan.
A consumer figuring out as a former retailer boss chimed in: “As a former Dunkin Manager – THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN POLICY. 😅 you get what you pay for.”
“Just because you dont want ice doesnt mean youre going to get more product,” said an nameless poster.
“This isn’t new and the amount of people that complain about it is crazy!” wrote Sammii Jean, who added: “The fact that you think you’re gonna get more product when you ask for no ice is crazy! If you want double the product they can charge you twice for it then cuz essentially that’s what you are asking for!”
The alleged directions also included steering for Dunkin’ Refreshers, Energy drinks and Iced Tea Lemonades.
The sheet warned workers to not pour those drinks to the top even when prospects request no ice.
“These beverages use measurements that account for ice in the cup,” the doc acknowledged.
“When made in the cup without ice, the ingredient ratios will be wrong and the beverage will not taste right. We do not recommend building these beverages with no ice.”
The publish’s creator said they found the coverage after ordering a specialty beverage.
Tariffs, local weather and provide chain disruptions have been blamed for the spike in the price of espresso. Getty Images
“Just paid $6+ for a large cookie butter cloud latte, with less ice, to not get filled to the top because their new fill policy says they will not do it, on purpose,” the consumer wrote.
“Sending to everyone so that they are aware what they will be receiving.”
The espresso chain has cause to be conscious of its backside line, as the price of beans has soared in recent times.
The average US retail price of ground espresso jumped to $9.14 per pound in September, up 41% from $6.48 a yr earlier, according to federal data.
Arabica espresso futures are likewise hovering close to historic highs at $4.08 per pound, after remaining above $3 since April 2024.
US tariffs — including a 50% surcharge on Brazilian espresso, 20% on Vietnam, and 10% on Colombia — additional pushed up import and retail prices, though President Trump slashed many levies last week.
Overall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ espresso index is up 18.9% year-over-year, far outpacing the broader food-and-beverage inflation charge of 3.1%.
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