The newly constructed Elizabethtown branch of Dunkin’ recently opened with a sweet deal for Elizabethtown College students—a 10 percent discount at the register with a valid student ID.
“We’re very excited about the new location,” Kunal Delvadia, employee and manager, said. “This is a very positive area, and the town itself has been very excited that we’re here.”
The store held its grand opening on Sept. 23 and features virtual kiosks. The kiosks allow customers to access the same perks, like scanning the Dunkin’ app, without waiting in a register line. Delvaida said kiosks have been largely popular with the college crowd, but students can only get a discount if they pay in person.
The Delvadia family operates seven other Dunkins in the area, and this one has drawn success, especially on the weekends, which could be due to the lack of weekend caffeine on Etown’s campus.
The Blue Bean, which has struggled with staffing in the past year along with the rest of Dining Services, is currently not open on Saturdays and only open from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. During the week, the Blue Bean, which serves Starbucks coffee, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. but sometimes closes early with no explanation. While students can use Jay Bucks at the Blue Bean, they do not accept Starbucks gift cards.
More Jay Bucks can be purchased on a one-to-one ratio, but some students want more perks than just cash.
The Blue Bean does not operate with Starbucks’ reward system, which is another perk of going to Dunkin’.
“I have a good amount of Jaybucks, but you can use rewards at Dunkin’ and get things for free,” student Elena Kenvin, ‘25 said. “I am so beyond excited they opened a Dunkin’ up in Etown.”
While the Blue Bean does have a frequent sipper program, where students can get their tenth drink free, Dunkin operates on a point system and also has offers for special occasions, like holidays and birthdays.
Price points are also a big bonus. On average, nearly all of Dunkin’s prices are cheaper than those offered at the Blue Bean. Another advantage comes not from the caffeine but the sugar. Blue Bean offers some breakfast items, but they are lacking in one area—donuts.
Prior to the Elizabethtown Dunkin’s construction, the nearest Dunkin’ was a 15-minute drive.
“I love getting Dunkin’ at home but I don’t have time to drive far during the school year,” Kenvin said. “This is great for something to do in between classes.”
The Etown Dunkin’s opening coincided with the first day of fall, starting the store with one of the chain’s biggest seasonal items—pumpkin.
Angelina Giglio-Tos ‘25 said the store’s opening has already increased her weekly Dunkin trips. Giglio-Tos is not a coffee drinker but goes for the specialty drink and food offerings.
“I love going to Dunkin’ for their breakfast, and I’m looking forward to getting a blueberry muffin toasted,” Giglio-Tos said. “I can only get my cake pops at the Blue Bean, and they don’t even have them half the time.”
She also goes to Dunkin’ for their specialty drinks.
“At the Blue Bean, I can get a frappuccino but not a frozen hot chocolate, and it’s not the same,” Giglio-Tos said.
Dunkin’ plans to continue offering their student discounts, and Delvadia said the company is seeking to work with the College on other potential offers. Meanwhile, the store continues receiving a steady line of college students from just down the road.
“It’s really dangerous in a good way,” Kenvin said.
