Dunkin' teams with Coke to sell ready-to-drink coffee beverages

Dunkin' Brands Group Inc. announced Thursday a deal with Coca-Cola Co. to start selling a line of ready-to-drink line coffee beverages across the U.S. in early 2017. Coke will make the coffee drinks, according to Dunkin's specifications, and will also distribute and sell the drinks to grocery and convenience stores, as well as mass merchandisers. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. "This new product introduction will increase consumption of Dunkin' Donuts coffee and increase our brand relevance with existing and new consumers, including many younger customers, which we believe will in turn, drive incremental visits to our restaurants," said Dunkin' Chief Executive Nigel Travis. The stock, which slipped 0.5% in midday trade, has run up 18% year to date, while the S&P 500 has gained 6.1%. Coke's stock tacked on 0.3%.

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