NEW YORK – Reuters reported last week that Dunkin' Brands Group Inc. said its doughnut chain will team up with Coca-Cola to launch a line of bottled coffee beverages in the United States, its first foray into the ready-to-drink coffee market that is led by Starbucks Corp.

The beverages will launch in early 2017, and will be manufactured, distributed and sold by Coca-Cola. The bottled iced coffees will be sold at grocery and convenience stores and in Dunkin' Donuts shops.

Dunkin' Brands CEO Nigel Travis told Reuters that the new venture will appeal to existing customers and also build brand recognition. "Some of our Dunkin' consumers were drinking other people's products because we weren't there," he said. 

Reuters notes that Starbucks has sold canned and bottled coffee drinks in North America since 1994, and controls about 97% of the U.S. ready-to-drink coffee market in a 50-50 partnership with PepsiCo Inc.

Dunkin' has partnered with Coca-Cola since 2012 to serve Coke beverages at its coffee chains in the United States and other countries.