Hungry crowd celebrates return of Dunkin’ Donuts to Hawaii
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Dunkin’ Donuts opened a new store near Inouye airport that will be the first in Hawaii since the chain left the state more than a decade ago. A crowd of people lined up outside the store before it opened.
Dunkin’ Donuts made its return to Hawaii today to a crowd of about 250 customers who lined up for donuts, coffee, breakfast sandwiches and prize giveaways before the 7 a.m. opening of the new store at 3270 Ualena St. near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
The store is the first for Dunkin in Hawaii since a previous Hawaii franchisee for the Massachusetts-based chain closed its last location more than a decade ago.
Jean Grossman, a regional vice president at Dunkin, said she was really excited that Hawaii gas station and convenience store operator Aloha Petroleum Ltd. made the deal to open 15 Dunkin stores statewide within eight years under a franchise agreement.
“Hawaii will again run on Dunkin,” she said moments before the store opened.
