Dunkin' Donuts plans to roll out a croissant-doughnut hybrid in the U.S. next week, but the company says please don't call it a 'Cronut.' The chain tells said it will launch its 'Croissant Donut' nationally for a limited time starting Nov. 3. It comes more than a year after the Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City introduced its now trademarked Cronut, which became a viral sensation and spawned numerous knockoffs Definitely not copying: Last summer, Dunkin' also introduced a croissant-doughnut in South Korea it dubbed a 'New York Pie Donut.' John Costello, Dunkin's president of global marketing and innovation, said in a phone interview that bakers around the country have been mixing doughnuts and croissants for at least 20 years. He said Dunkin' is constantly tracking consumer and bakery trends and has been looking at pastry 'combinations' for several years now.
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Dunkin' will release $2.49 'Croissant Donut' next week in stores nationwide
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Denies it is 'copying' Dominique Ansel, who invented Cronut to huge acclaim
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Ansel created huge hype - and legendary queues - for trademarked Cronut
He said he thinks the @placeholder will be a hit because the popularity of Cronuts hasn't faded.