Dunkin’ Opens Drive-Thru-Only Store Near New Castle
This article originally written by Digital Content Intern Yusra Asif. Asif, is a senior media communications major at the University of Delaware, working as the associate news editor at The Review and a broadcast news reporter at the Student Television Network at UD.
Dunkin’ opened a drive-thru only store near New Castle on Thursday, offering drive-thru and walk-up services. The store is located at 194 N. DuPont Highway, near a closed traditional Dunkin’.
Dunkin’ is calling this shift in the store style as its “next generation design.” The move comes in response to an increasing trend among people shifting to grab-and-go food services by placing online orders due to the pandemic.
According to Franchisee Pradeep Saha, who owns six other Dunkin’ stores in Delaware, he observed this shift in the pandemic — 70% of business now comes from the drive-thru lane at stores that have one. Saha had plans for a drive-thru-only store more than two years ago, Delaware Online reported.
“The next generation people are ordering more like a DoorDash or on-the-go format,” Saha told Delaware Online. “I kind of felt like this was the way to go.”
The new store is about two-thirds the size of a conventional Dunkin’, comprising an area of just 970 square feet. It includes two drive-thru lanes, a pick-up lane for people who place online orders, and a normal lane where drivers can order. The store also features a walk-up window for individuals without cars.
The store near New Castle is open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and offers free internet.