01-08-2025
Dunkin' Announces Major Menu Change
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Dunkin' has named actor Gavin Casalegno the "King of Summer" as part of its latest seasonal campaign, launching a new drink, the Golden Hour Dunkin' Refresher.
The promotion is supported by a commercial featuring Casalegno, star of The Summer I Turned Pretty, and a wave of new limited-time beverages.
Newsweek hascontacted Dunkin' for comment via email on Thursday.
Why It Matters
Founded in 1950, Dunkin' is the largest coffee and doughnut chain in the United States, operating over 14,000 locations across nearly 40 international markets. The brand is part of the Inspire Brands portfolio.
The latest promotion highlights Dunkin's push to stay competitive in the fast-growing iced drink market, especially among younger customers. With customizable app-exclusive drink options and celebrity-led marketing, the brand aims to boost loyalty program engagement and social media buzz.
To celebrate the drink's launch, Casalegno appears in a new social video, "King of Summer," following his appearance in the brand's "Not Just a Snack" campaign.
What To Know
The latest launch follows a summer of releases featuring pop culture favorites—from Pink Spritz with Paige DeSorbo to Sabrina's Strawberry Daydream with Sabrina Carpenter, and now Golden Hour with Casalegno.
The new Golden Hour Refresher blends mango, pineapple and strawberry dragonfruit flavors with lemonade, and is joined by the Blueberry Breeze Refresher as part of Dunkin's summer menu.
Through the Dunkin' app, customers can also access mixology-inspired drinks like the Blueberry Strawberry Sparkling Refresher and Guava Strawberry Black Tea Refresher or customize their own with the "Mix Your Own Refresher" option.
Guests can choose from a variety of drink bases, including green tea, black tea, lemonade, sparkling water, water, or oatmilk, and tailor flavor combinations and sweetness levels to create their perfect summer sip.
Dunkin' Rewards members can enjoy any medium Refresher for $3 through August 19 at participating locations.
As previously reported by Newsweek, the Dunkin' ad promoting the launch shows Casalegno lounging by the pool and sipping the new Golden Hour Refresher drink. He references his "golden" tan, which he attributes to "genetics."
The ad is facing backlash for its use of the word "genetics." It was released just days after American Eagle's "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans" campaign, which has faced backlash over claims of racist undertones and eugenics messaging, largely tied to its focus on Sweeney's genetics.
Despite the backlash, some users online defended Dunkin', suggesting the criticism is overblown and the commercial was clearly meant to be humorous.
A general view of a Dunkin' store on August 23, 2024, in Oceanside, New York.
A general view of a Dunkin' store on August 23, 2024, in Oceanside, New People Are Saying
Actor Gavin Casalegno in a news release for Dunkin': "There's just something about a summer sunset that makes everything feel a little better, and Dunkin's Golden Hour Refresher really captures that vibe. It's refreshing and kind of just lifts your mood. I've been a Dunkin' fan for years, so teaming up again is such a fun way to celebrate summer."
What Happens Next?
Dunkin' has not commented publicly on the ad controversy. The drink promotion continues through mid-August as planned.
To stay up to date on Dunkin's full summer menu lineup, visit or subscribe to the Dunkin' blog to receive notifications at
