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Dunkin’ Donuts held the grand opening of its Franklin location on Saturday, July 29, with the mayor and other city officials on hand.

The new store, located at 1130 Armory Drive, held a soft opening Friday, July 28.

Dunkin’ franchisee Gregg Nigro said, “Every time we’re able to do this and bring a brand to a new location, it’s very exciting. Specifically in Franklin, it’s very meaningful to bring Dunkin’ there but also to be a member of the community and be able to employ what is probably about 30 people, between full- and part-time staff.”

He said that “the community was very supportive and has been very gracious.”

The Franklin Dunkin’ Donuts is open seven days a week, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

“It’s a full-service location,” Nigro said. “Drive-thru, inside dining with a lobby, and then, of course, our app — so you can order in any of those ways.”

The menu is viewable at DunkinDonuts.com, and Nigro noted that the Franklin location’s entire menu is served all day. 

“People still don’t know that,” he said. “So if you’re working a different shift and you want breakfast at 8 o’clock at night, you can come here and get it.”

Asked if there has ever been a Dunkin’ Donuts in Franklin previously, Nigro said, “Not that I know of.”

He noted that prior to 2007, the presence of Dunkin’ Donuts stores in the area was sporadic.

“Over the past 15 years, myself and another franchisee, who really does Norfolk, have done quite a bit of development and tried to really grow out and build up the market,” Nigro said.

HOW DUNKIN’ CAME TO FRANKLIN

Nigro stated that through Restaurant Services of the Outer Banks, a closely held family company headquartered out of Nags Head, North Carolina, they own and operate 52 Dunkin’ Donuts throughout southern and central Virginia and northeast North Carolina.

“So we’re slowly developing out and building out the Dunkin’ Donuts throughout that area,” Nigro said. “That corridor is a pretty heavily traveled corridor, and we identified Franklin as an opportunity sort of in between some other locations, between (Interstate) 95 and basically Suffolk. 

“So as we were investigating that corridor, Franklin emerged as somewhere we wanted to be, and one thing led to another and we found that site, that former Golden Skillet, and were able to make a deal on it,” he added.

Nigro is owner of the property at 1130 Armory Drive through a sister company that is a real estate development enterprise that develops Dunkin’ Donuts stores and other commercial real estate. 

He said it was in the third quarter of 2022 when Restaurant Services of the Outer Banks began the development process of the 1130 Armory Drive Dunkin’ location, identifying it, getting control of it and then submitting plans.

“I will tell you the city of Franklin was very gracious, very good to work with,” he said. “And in terms of the results so far, we’re very pleased with the reception and the results. So overall, very positive experience in the city there.”

Franklin Mayor Robert “Bobby” Cutchins said, “We are pleased to welcome Dunkin’ Donuts to our growing city, and I am confident that Dunkin’ will be a fine addition to the many eating establishments in Franklin as we continue to grow and thrive.

“The creation of new jobs is always a plus for the employees having money to spend, hopefully local, to help increase sales of the other businesses,” he continued. “It becomes a win-win. Not to mention, people like a donut. We are excited about the many good things happening all around our city each and every day.”