Dunkin’ Donuts Closing 450 Stores Across US: Spokesperson

The first full Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant opens in Southern California in at least a decade on Sept. 2 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Eric Zhang, Epoch Times)

Dunkin', the coffee and doughnut chain that used to be called Dunkin’ Donuts, will permanently close down 450 locations across the United States by the end of the year, the firm said on Tuesday.

The only Dunkin' stores that are closing are located inside Speedway gas stations, following an announcement that the chain would stop its partnership with Hess, which was acquired by Speedway several years ago.

“These points of distribution are lower volume units, in total representing less than 0.5 percent of Dunkin’ U.S. annual systemwide sales in 2019,” Kate Jaspon, Dunkin’s chief financial officer, told news outlets in a statement.

The locations, Jaspon added, are mainly on the East Coast and are usually smaller than standalone locations.

“By exiting these sites, we are confident we will be better positioned to serve these trade areas with Dunkin’s newest Next Generation restaurant design that offers a broader menu and modern experience,” Jaspon added.

Dunkin’ relabeled itself in 2018 to focus more on coffee and tea, as beverages make up about 60 percent of the company’s sales.

The firm, which has largely stayed open during the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, recently announced that it would hire up to 25,000 new employees.

“Dunkin’ is committed to keeping America running and working. We are proud to support our franchisees who offer much-needed job opportunities, in a welcoming environment where people can feel appreciated and rewarded for serving both customers and their communities during this critical time,” the firm said in a statement last month, adding that it was the company’s “first-ever national advertising campaign aimed at recruitment.”