Well, it’s not another new Dunkin’ Donuts location (although we’re sure that’s coming), but a longtime Dunkin’ location in Sterling is moving from an in-line position to an end-cap position in order to add a drive-thru lane.
We’re talking about the Dunkin’ at the Great Falls Plaza off Algonkian Parkway in the Lowe’s Island area of Sterling.
The Dunkin’ shop is currently in the middle of the center, sandwiched between two other businesses — what’s known as “in-line.” There’s no drive-thru opportunity in that position.
But by moving to a spot at one of the ends of the center — the end-cap — they now have the ability to have a drive-thru lane. In this case, the spot is a former bank site, so there is already a drive-thru lane in place.
If you’re not aware, Dunkin’ and Starbucks are locked in a war of sorts to be the dominant coffee provider to America. In the past, both brands often opened spots in in-line spaces.
But they eventually realized that a huge chunk of sales came from drive-thru lanes, so there has been a big push to get existing stores out of in-line locations and into news spaces — or even new buildings — that offer room for a drive-thru.
The pandemic and social distancing only emphasized this trend even more.
No word on when the switcheroo will take place at Great Falls Plaza, but if you’re a regular there and one day you notice the Dunkin’ is gone, check the other end of the plaza.