By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After a delay in opening their Hutchinson location, Dunkin’ Donuts is aiming for an opening later this month. Daniel Day, franchise owner of Dunkin’ Donuts remains optimistic to serve the community.
Day said the store was announced in summer 2022 and had been being worked on for two years. It was originally intended to open in mid-September.
In addition to Dunkin’ Donuts famous warm breakfast items including donuts, coffee, and sandwiches, the shop will also host a Baskin-Robbins within the building, offering their brand of cool confectionery.
A delay in equipment is the reason for missing the initial September launch date. They still need sinks, the store’s water filtration system, and the Baskin-Robbins sign, according to Day.
Dunkin’ Donuts-Hutchinson currently has 30 employees ready to start work when they launch.
According to Day, it typically takes 25 to 30 trained employees to run a Dunkin’ Donuts. With the addition of Baskin-Robbins, he stated they will need about 30 to 40 employees.
Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, located at the corner of Waldron and E. 17th Ave., is still hiring.
When asked what separates Dunkin’ Donuts from their competition, like the Starbucks located not too far from them, Day emphasized options, highlighting the differences in Dunkin’ Donuts menu items.
Specifically, how Dunkin’ Donuts is "East Coast coffee" while Starbucks is "West Coast coffee."
Day added Dunkin’ Donuts’ kitchen and accompanying sandwich items puts them over Starbucks.
“This is just a great community and it’s the first one outside of Wichita we could get to,” said Day when asked why open a Dunkin’ Donuts in Hutchinson. “It’s close to Wichita but big enough to support the unit here, and just there’s lots of good things happening in Hutchinson so we just wanted to be part of the community and serve them well.”
Day, of Wichita, said he was eager to partner with community entities, such as working with Hutchinson schools or being a part of fundraisers.
“I am shooting for mid-November or the end of November,” Day stated. “Unless something goes terribly wrong, I can’t say anything going past the end of November."
Both the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins sides of the operation will open at the same time.
Moving forward, Day said he would like to push more west into southwest Kansas, possibly opening stores in Dodge City and Garden City.
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