Nationwide donut shop chain opening 4,000th 'Next Generation' store in Jacksonville

A popular nationwide donut and coffee shop chain will celebrate the grand opening of its 4,000th "Next Generation" store Tuesday in Jacksonville.

At its new restaurant at 3635 Philips Highway, Dunkin' promises an enhanced customer experience via a modern design and innovative technology showcasing its menu of doughnuts, sandwiches, wraps, bagels, muffins coffee, espresso and SPARKD’ Energy drinks.

The Canton, Mass.-based restaurant chain lists the new, nearly 2,000-square-foot restaurant as the 33rd in Jacksonville.

Features of Dunkin's "Next Generation" stores include:

• Modern Design : The openness, colors and materials used in the store are intended to help to create an approachable, positive, and energetic environment.
• Premium Pours: Dunkin’s signature cold beverages are served through "an innovative tap system serving eight consistently cold beverages such as coffees, iced teas, cold brew coffee, and nitro-infused cold brew coffee. " In addition, "top-quality flavor-maximizing espresso machines" are used to make hand-crafted drinks to order.
• Increased Energy Efficiency: The restaurant is designed to meet the company's DD Green Achievement specifications. Stores with that status are built with "sustainable and efficient elements such as LED lighting, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, low-flow faucets and more." Dunkin' said, on average, they are 33% more energy efficient than conventional Dunkin' restaurants.
• Dunkin’ on Demand : The restaurant features a dedicated mobile order pick-up area so customers who order ahead via the Dunkin’ App can get in and out of the restaurant faster than in the past.

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“We are very proud of the long-standing relationships we have built serving our customers and the community in the surrounding area,” Dunkin’ franchisee Sam Patel of Rima & Raj, LLC said in the news release.“ As we celebrate the grand opening of the 4,000th Next Gen store, we look forward to continuing to expand our presence here in the Jacksonville area and enhancing the guest experience.”

Grand Opening specials: 100 days of free coffee

To celebrate the Philips Highway store's grand opening, Dunkin' is featuring some giveaways and special events.

Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, the first 100 Dunkin’ Rewards members in line at the store will receive a free medium hot or iced coffee for 100 days on the Dunkin’ app. To qualify, guests must be a Dunkin’ Rewards member or must sign up on the day of the event. The offer only applies to the Philips Highway store.

From 8 to 10 a.m., guests will get a chance to meet, photograph and get autographs with the Savannah Bananas, billed as the “Greatest Show in Sports” that runs on Dunkin'.

In addition, guests will be able to spin a prize wheel for an opportunity to win free Dunkin’ merchandise between 8 and 11 a.m., or while supplies last. The Dunkin mascot, Sprinkles, also will be on hand.

Dunkin and Rima & Raj, LLC will be donating $5,000 to nonprofit Feeding Northeast Florida . They will also honor the local military community by donating 4,000 pounds of Dunkin’ ground coffee to USO Jacksonville .

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Founded in 1950, Dunkin' is the largest coffee and donut brand in the United States. It has more than 13,700 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets.

Dunkin’ is part of Inspire Brands , a nationwide fast-food restaurant franchise company headquartered in Sandy Springs, Ga. Inspire Brands also has Arby's , Sonic , Baskin Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings , and Jimmy John's , according to its corporate website.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Nationwide donut shop chain opening 4,000th 'Next Generation' store in Jacksonville