Dunkin’ Donuts Drive-Thru Heading for Hillcrest

Worldwide doughnut chain Dunkin’ Donuts is moving into Hillcrest, with a new location that replaces longtime taco shop Los Panchos on Washington Street. Scheduled to open in early summer, it will be run by local franchise owner Burton Foods LLC, which operates a number of stores throughout San Diego including several on military bases and stand-alone shops in Point Loma, National City, and downtown San Diego.

The Hillcrest location will be modeled after the branch in El Cajon, which launched last summer and was Dunkin’s first next generation concept store in San Diego. Its features include a more modern design, digital kiosks, expanded grab and go options, and an eight-tap system pouring nitro-infused cold brew coffee, iced tea, and more. The site’s existing drive-thru window will be retained, but the company will also be adding a walk-up counter.

Dunkin’ recently parked a mobile doughnut and coffee truck at the space to offer a preview of the menu; the truck’s current schedule is Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to noon.

Courtesy photo