It's True: Dunkin' Donuts Comes to California in 2015

In the nearly ten years that we've been blogging at Franklin Avenue, I've been asking the question: Why are there no Dunkin' Donuts in California? (I've also had to bat down trolls over the years who were convinced, CONVINCED, that Dunkin' was already here.)

We were met with silence by Dunkin' Donuts corporate office. A decade later, that silence has been broken. The day has arrived.

Dunkin' Donuts is returning to California.

It's happening starting in 2015. Here's what Nigel Travis, CEO, Dunkin' Brands and President, Dunkin' Donuts U.S., has to say:

Since the day I joined Dunkin’ Brands, one of the questions I’ve been asked most is, “When will Dunkin’ Donuts open in California?” I hear requests to come to California almost every day from our fans on the West Coast and all throughout the country, and of course from our passionate communities on Facebook and Twitter. Some big-name celebrities have even made pleas on national TV for us to bring our famous coffee to Hollywood.

And so, today is an extremely happy and momentous day for our brand, as I have the privilege of making the long-awaited announcement that Dunkin’ Donuts will in fact be expanding into Southern California. We are now actively seeking franchisees to open Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernadino, Ventura and Orange Counties in California. We expect the first new Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in California to open in 2015.

We are absolutely thrilled to be coming to California. Expansion to the West Coast has always been part of our growth plans, and we’ve always said that we will enter California when the timing is right and when the infrastructure is in place to help our franchisees be successful. We believe we have reached that point today. It’s wonderful to know that there is already such incredible appetite for our brand in California, as evidenced by the popularity of our bagged coffee at grocery stores, the recent launch of Dunkin’ K-Cup packs at Baskin-Robbins shops throughout the state, and the overwhelmingly positive response to the opening of the Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant on Camp Pendleton.

And now, I look forward to be sick of, and utterly disgusted by, Dunkin' Donuts in 2016. But here's to enjoying their arrival, before bemoaning the days before Dunkin' Donuts put the mom and pop shops out of business. (Ooh, I took a dark turn there, didn't I!)

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

Dunkin' Donuts Finally Returns to California - But There's A Catch (February 2012)

Is Dunkin' Donuts Finally on the Way to Los Angeles? (January 2012)

Dunkin' Donuts to Southern California: No Free Donut For You (May 2010)

Rumors of Dunkin' Donuts Coming to L.A. Have Been Greatly Exaggerated (June 2009)

Dunkin' Donuts Moves Closer to Los Angeles (August 2008)

Dunkin Donuts Opens L.A. Shop... In My Dreams (May 2008)

Dunkin' Tease at the L.A. Times (April 2008)

Turns Out Not Having Dunkin' Donuts in L.A. Is a Blessing (July 2007)

Still No Dunkin' (September 2006)

Dunkin' Again? (December 2005)

Time to Make the Donuts... And Doublecheck Your Facts (October 2003)