Regular patrons of Dunkin’ Donuts, located at 1866 Brownsville Road in Trevose, were forced to find caffeine elsewhere for almost three weeks while the store closed its doors. Thankfully, it was only temporary.
On Saturday, Feb. 15, the Trevose spot celebrated a grand reopening as Dunkin’ – the national chain’s Next-Gen model that features more open space, transparency and increased energy efficiency.
According to franchisee Nash Patel, who operates 22 Dunkin’ shops throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, residents began standing in line at 5:30 a.m. to not only congratulate Patel, but receive an early-bird incentive – the first 100 customers in line would be granted free coffee for a year.
“That was just unbelievable to see the type of impact that we have in the community,” Patel said.
The 13-year-old Trevose Dunkin’ was given a complete overhaul, including an expansion of the customer seating area by 100 square feet; the building of a front counter doughnut display; and the installation of a tap system that serves eight cold beverages, such as iced teas, cold brew coffees and nitro-infused cold brew coffee.
“When you walk in, you’re able to see everything happening within the store, not only in terms of the front counter, but the back counter. So, nothing is being hidden,” Patel said. “The customers are able to experience and see what’s happening with their drinks in the process of being made.”
Additionally, the new Dunkin’ is a DD Green Achievement restaurant, which means it’s designed to save 25 percent more energy compared to a standard Dunkin’ Donuts.
For Patel, a Rutgers University graduate who was inspired to become a business owner after watching his parents run a chain of toy stores, it’s a thrill to follow in their footsteps.
“My mom and dad were always entrepreneurs,” Patel said. “They were driven, and they made sure my brother and I were driven.”
Patel said it’s also an honor to receive support from the locals of Trevose, even while the store was closed.
“I know we disappointed the guests during that period, but once they saw and they came back to us, they couldn’t believe what two and a half weeks could do to a store. You could see it in their eyes,” Patel said. “For them to see the store up and running, that was a relief because this is something that people are used to on a daily basis and their daily routine. And for us to have that impact by closing it down, you’re changing their habits. So, we’re glad to have all of our customers, plus more, come right back.”
Moving forward, Patel has plans to expand the Dunkin’ brand even further by evaluating “blank” markets where a store can open without impacting another location; bringing Dunkin’ to various office campuses; and implementing a mobile cart system to bring coffee and treats to carnivals and large events.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to see the growth of the brand in the market. Initially, it was based in the Northeast, but now Dunkin’ has grown nationally,” Patel said. “You see the impact of the national brand being recognized.”
But until Patel hits the road with his mobile Dunkin’, he’s encouraging all of Lower Bucks County to stop by his Trevose store to say, “Hello.”
“We want to make sure that our guests and the guests that haven’t seen what the new Dunkin’ looks like get the opportunity to come see it firsthand and experience it,” he said. “We look forward to seeing all of our neighbors and community folks show up.”
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
