Dunkin' Donuts will open its 500th Chicago location Jan. 14. The milestone restaurant will feature a new design, with updated colors and coffee buzz words adorning the walls, as well as retro-themed, comfortable seating options.
The latest Dunkin' Donuts will also include free WiFi and new electronic, interactive video menu boards. The company noted it does not discuss provider information regarding this technology.
A spokesperson for Dunkin' Donuts said the updated design features will be incorporated into some new stores as the company continues its aggressive expansion. In other new markets, consumer interest is being monitored before a decision is made.
Menu enhancement
As for the menu, the new Chicago restaurant will offer classic Dunkin' Donuts' menu items that area available all day, including the brand's variety of hot and iced coffee, lattes and cappuccino.
Additionally, new all-day menu items will be sold, such as Berry Extreme, Blueberry Lemon and Chocolate Stuffed Chocolate Chip Filled Muffins, and Apple Filled and Bavarian Cream Filled Croissants.
The unit will also include a new refrigerated "grab & go" case offering food and beverages such as Yoplait Lowfat Yogurt, Sabra Hummus, Sargento Cheese Sticks, Dole Fruit Cups and more.
A Dunkin' spokesperson said the company considers "grab & go" case as a complement to the menu, and something that appeals to all dayparts.
Grand opening celebration
The 500th Chicago Dunkin' Donuts is located on West 111st Street and comes nearly 50 years after the city's first Dunkin' opened. A grand opening celebration will be held Jan. 14, with Benny the Bull, the Luvabulls, Chicago Bulls radio broadcasters Bill Wennington and Chuck Swirsky and B96's J, Julian and Showbiz Shelly.
Also, the first 500 people to visit the restaurant on Jan. 14, beginning at 8 a.m., will be given a DD travel mug containing a $2 DD Card.
The restaurant also will launch a food drive for FeedChicago.org, a non-profit organization that has been feeding Chicagoans for 25 years. At 8 a.m. through noon on Jan. 14, anyone who donates a canned food item or cash donation will receive a "Free Donut" coupon. In addition, all guests that attend the grand opening celebration can enter a raffle for a chance to win one of five $100 DD Cards. Two pairs of Bulls tickets, two pairs of Blackhawk tickets and a Pepsi bike with helmet also will be raffled; winners do not need to be present at the time of the drawing to win.
The special guests from the Bulls and B96 will arrive at 10 a.m., and at 11 a.m., Alderman Matthew O'Shea, radio broadcasters Wennington and Swirsky, the Luvabulls and Benny the Bull will join Sam Savani, Dunkin' Donuts franchisee, and other Dunkin' Donuts officials to present a $2,000 check to Ben Ponzio, president of FeedChicago.org.
In addition, today and Saturday, Dunkin' Donuts will donate $2 to Feed Chicago for every new Follower of @DunkinChicago on Twitter and every new "Like" on DunkinChicago on Facebook, up to $500.
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