Dunkin’ Donuts CEO: We Believe We Have The Best Rewards Program

America may be running on Dunkin' again. Dunkin' Donuts, a division of Dunkin' Brands (DNKN) - Get Report reported Thursday that same-store sales in the U.S. rose 2 percent in the first-quarter after a surprising decline in the fourth quarter of last year. The strength was spurred by interest in more expensive espresso beverages and limited-time breakfast foods such as a new breakfast burrito, Dunkin' Brands Chairman and CEO Nigel Travis explained in an interview with TheStreet. Traffic to Dunkin's restaurants increased in the quarter along with a gain in the average amount spent per customer. Strength at Dunkin' in the U.S., where it operates over 8,500 restaurants, helped the company deliver better-than-expected first-quarter earnings of $0.44 a share compared to estimates for $0.43 a share. Meanwhile, Baskin-Robbins saw a five percent same-store sales increase in the U.S. as it benefited from people ordering cakes online and eating more ice cream during a warmer-than-average winter. The coffee and donut chain also said it will launch its new On-the-Go mobile ordering technology throughout its 1,650 metro New York locations by mid-May, taking aim at the success rival Starbucks (SBUX) - Get Report has had with similar technology. Travis said Dunkin has also moved aggressively to market its rewards program during a period of consumer outrage with changes made to Starbucks' popular rewards program. TheStreet's Brian Sozzi reports from New York City.