SPARTANBURG S.C. Denny’s is exploring an addition of premium coffee beverages, including espressos and cappuccinos, to the family-dining chain’s menu next year.
According to Mark Chmiel, executive vice president at Denny’s Corp., which is parent to the namesake 1,500-unit concept, the premium beverages would need to be inexpensive enough for the general public to afford before they would even be considered.
“If we do this,” Chmiel said, “the big question we have to answer first is how we do it and still provide affordability so it doesn’t become a $3 or $4 beverage.”
“We have to do a lot of work on this with our suppliers,” he added. “For us, when looking at premium beverages overall, value is going to be the key.”
Arecent study from Technomic Inc. found that consumers are more interested in purchasing premium coffee beverages now than they were two years ago. According to the survey’s findings, 34 percent of respondents said they preferred purchasing premium coffees compared with 29 percent who preffered premium beverages in 2007.
The Technomic study, released earlier this week, was composed of data collected from 1,500 respondents nationally. Numerous chains, including McDonald's, Bruegger's and Wendy's, have explored and continue to look for new ways to offer more premium coffee drinks.
Contact Elissa Elan at [email protected].