Work begins on first Dunkin’ Donuts store in Tulsa area

BROKEN ARROW — Construction crews are laying the foundation for what Dunkin’ Donuts and its fans hope will be the first of several locations in the Tulsa area.

Earth work is underway at the site of the future store, just north of the intersection of Aspen Avenue and Kenosha Street in Broken Arrow.

A spokeswoman for the national quick-service restaurant chain was unable to confirm when construction would be complete. The company announced earlier that the goal was to open in late 2017.

Last year, Dunkin’ Donuts announced plans to build 10 stores in the Tulsa area. The restaurant, which features doughnuts, coffee, other beverages and breakfast foods, does not have a local presence.

“We are excited to be the first Tulsa location,” said Wes Smithwick, president and CEO of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce. “Dunkin’ will bring strong traffic — particularly in the morning — to that area, and we will most likely see additional retail growth nearby.”

This won’t be the first time a national chain has chosen that particular part of Broken Arrow to break into the Tulsa market.

Jack in the Box opened its first new area location at 2221 W Kenosha St. in 2010 after being out of the market for more than 25 years. Dairy Queen re-established its local presence at 3120 W Kenosha St. in 2012.

“I believe demographics and traffic count are factors driving this and also proximity of competitors,” Smithwick said, hinting that other fast-casual chains are possibly opening their first Oklahoma locations in Broken Arrow as well.