Could it be? Yes, everyone. The time has come. Dunkin Donuts has finally signed franchise agreements to open 45 stores in LA and Orange County in 2015. Missing Dunkin Donuts is probably the one thing that every South Bay transplant has in common. And the same goes for everyone in the SoCal area that grew up elsewhere.
I know it’s the first thing I mention when I meet someone who just moved here. “Well, get used to missing Dunks. Because we don’t have any.” Cue wide eyes and deep exhales of relief and sadness, “I KNOW. It’s awful. I don’t understand. Dunks is everywhere. Even outside of the U.S. Why aren’t there any chains here?” Despite the instant bond that the lack of coolattas has created among us, I’m looking forward to not having that conversation anymore.
Because this void hits every transplant harder than they expect it to, this wonderful news is worth celebrating. Here’s four reasons why:
1) Dunkin Donuts doesn’t just have regular coffee.
DD has no interest in being trendy. They want to be reliable. They want you to know that you can count on them to kickstart your day. You can get a basic coffee, or choose from their fancier drink options. They have lattes, they have tea, and should you find yourself in the mood for a blended blast of flavor, they have coolattas too. I have yet to find another caffeinated beverage that tops the classic French Vanilla Iced Coffee, light and sweet (with granulated sugar, not the liquid). If you haven’t tried it yet, mark your calendars two years in advance. You won’t be disappointed.
2) And the food.
Obviously, they are known for their donuts. A box of munchkins and a coffee carton are great for big groups and office breakfasts. But that’s not all they offer. They have incredible bagels and breakfast sandwiches. They even have a new breakfast sandwich that has a glazed donut on either side, in place of bread. Don’t worry, they have great healthy options too if your day doesn’t include taking an immediate nap after eating.
3) Your wallet will become a big Dunks fan.
All of this flavor magic for a reasonable price? You bet. You can get a morning coffee for a price that’ll meet your budget and not make you feel guilty for “eating out”.
4) The anticipation has already created success.
It doesn’t really matter what they do with the menu between now and then. SoCal residents that grew up with Dunkin Donuts are living like vampires that haven’t fed in years.
We’re hungry, we’ve missed them, and we’re ready to stampede the first chains to open and take home a truckload of munchkins. There’s hype, there’s nostalgia and now that we’ve gotten this news, we have two years to daydream about it. I hope they overstock everything.
Currently, there aren’t any detailed plans to open stores within the South Bay, but once these stores are open, there’s no way they will stop at 45. There will be 18 restaurants in Central Orange County and the South Bay Coastal region of Los Angeles County, 10 restaurants throughout the Westside, Santa Monica, Hollywood and Malibu in Los Angeles County and 16 restaurants in central Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Plus, within the next few months, there are plans to open “nontraditional” branches of Dunkin Donuts in universities, supermarkets, airports, casinos, and travel centers.
Way to go, Dunkin Donuts. And cheers to all SoCal transplants. Victory is ours.
(Image courtesy of LA Times)
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