Dunkin’ Donuts is set to open a newly constructed location this spring directly behind its existing store at 3011 Frederica St., replacing the original site with a more modern and efficient building aimed at improving customer service and solving traffic issues.
Owners Nita Patel and Josh Sutton, who first opened the Frederica Street location in 2011, said the decision to build from the ground up came down to space, safety, and customer convenience.
“We’re about 60% completed,” Patel said. “If everything stays on track and there’s no major weather delay, we’re hoping for an early spring opening — probably mid-April. Our goal is to be shut down only four to five days during the transition.”
For Patel, owning a Dunkin’ franchise is part of a full-circle journey. Her father worked as a baker for Dunkin’ in Chicago in the 1960s after immigrating from India, with her mother helping on the coffee side. That early exposure planted a seed.
“When corporate visited our hotel looking for a franchisee, we originally said no,” Patel said. “But five months later, we decided to open the first Dunkin’ in Owensboro.”
They later opened a second location in Jasper, Indiana, and continue to balance their work in both hospitality and food service.
The new store will feature a more efficient layout and several upgrades, including a double-lane drive-thru, expanded mobile ordering station, and a new “tap system” for streamlined service.
Store Manager Peggy Jackson said the changes are designed to speed up service and reduce congestion.
“We’ve already moved traffic off of Frederica Street, and now with two drive-thru lanes, we’ll be able to get customers through even faster,” Jackson said. “Everything will be more streamlined.”
Sutton added that the original building, which has previously been a Wendy’s, Pizza Roma, and House of Canton, simply wasn’t built for the demands of modern-day drive-thru and mobile ordering.
“This building wasn’t designed for today’s coffee culture,” Sutton said. “We love our lobby, but it’s not laid out efficiently. We’re redesigning this new space with both staff and customers in mind.”
The new store will also include a walkable front patio and a more “lounge-style” atmosphere inside.
“We want to be the best coffee shop in Owensboro — not just for drive-thru customers, but for those who want to sit and relax too,” Patel said.
Though Dunkin’ is still famous for its donuts, the team says drinks — especially coffee and refreshers — now dominate orders.
“Drinks have taken over,” Sutton said. “They’re easy, quick, and we offer a pretty versatile palette. Whether it’s a hot breakfast sandwich, donuts for the office, or a frozen drink, people see us as a one-stop breakfast shop.”
Sutton said their location across from Kentucky Wesleyan College also brings steady business from students, and their team is proud to support the college and nearby businesses.
“You’ve got homes, college students, and offices all within walking distance,” he said. “It’s a perfect spot.”
The current building will remain open until the new store is ready to take over. Patel said they chose not to rebuild on the same footprint in order to avoid an extended shutdown, prioritizing continuous service for customers.
Though the owners are keeping a few surprises under wraps for now, they hinted that more exciting developments are planned once the new store opens.
“Be ready,” Sutton said. “We’ve got some exciting things coming. It’s going to be something really special for Owensboro.”
