George Brett on hand for doughnut home run

If last Thursday’s grand opening is a true measure, the Kansas City area is hungry for the return of Dunkin’ Donuts.

Coffee-loving, doughnut-craving customers lined up by the hundreds for the first taste of the Dunkin’ menu since the franchise left town more than a decade ago. Some folks woke up to smell the coffee especially early. The shop opened at 5 a.m., and co-owner Jen Benjamin said a few people showed up at 2:15 to wait for the front door and the drive-through window to open.

If the goal of those early risers was to avoid a crowd, they were wise to arrive when they did. Police had to help direct and monitor the morning’s steady flow of traffic into and away from the new shop at 7720 W. 151st St. in Overland Park.

In addition to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the day’s festivities included a fundraiser for Harvesters Community Food Network. The company presented the agency a $2,000 check, and customers bringing three canned food items to the shop received a coupon for a free cup of coffee.

The presence of baseball Hall of Famer George Brett no doubt enhanced turnout.

Brett said he attended because he knows the owners and because he and the Kansas City Royals are longtime supporters of Harvesters. Besides, Brett asserted, he is a Dunkin’ Donuts fan.

“I grew up in Southern California, so I became familiar with Dunkin Donuts there. Obviously I haven’t been able to go to their shops for a while because they haven’t been in Kansas City,” Brett said. “It’s about time they came. I’m looking forward to a location closer to my home.”

The owners say that Brett and the rest of the city should not have to wait long. Benjamin and partner Kristin Rhyne McClure said the goal is to open 15 of the shops around the Kansas City area over the next several years. Efforts already are under way to gain zoning approval for another shop at the northwest corner of 75th Street and Metcalf Avenue.

While the turnout was heartening, it apparently did not surprise the owners.

“We expected that we would be welcomed by the doughnut fans in the community,” McClure said.

Confidence also was high about the shop’s ability to handle that brisk business.

“Lots of people said they were surprised by how quickly they got their doughnuts despite the size of the lines. We’re proud and satisfied about that,” Benjamin said.

All might not have gone perfectly. Former Gold Glove third baseman Brett confessed to possible misplays while assisting on a couple of orders.

“I apologize for my blunders if I put the wrong doughnuts in the wrong bags,” Brett said during brief remarks at the ribbon cutting.

Talk to a few Dunkin’ Donuts devotees, including Brett, and you are likely to hear testimonials about the coffee. Brett said his family has been buying large packages of it for months since they learned it was available at a discount wholesaler.

Customers last Thursday said they were willing to brave the long lines particularly because of the brew.

“I got acquainted with the chain while living in Philadelphia and Atlanta. The coffee is great. It’s cheaper than Starbucks, but it’s better coffee,” said Todd Adams of Olathe.

“I love the coffee. The coffee is the big draw. I don’t really care for the doughnuts,” said Paul Holmes of Overland Park.

Not exactly the endorsement the owners were hoping for, but several other people swore allegiance both to the coffee and the doughnuts.

The owners said Dunkin’ Donuts is not quite the same place it was when the franchise last operated here.

“It’s become a whole new experience. Some customers today were reminiscing about the old Dunkin’ Donuts in Kansas City, and how today there is much more. It has a very broad menu,” McClure said.

The expanded menu includes several sandwich selections for the lunch crowd.

As for opening a new business in the midst of a sluggish economy, McClure insisted there was no great concern.

“People don’t give up their coffee. This is actually a very recession-resistant business. That’s been the experience in the past,” McClure said.

And for at least the first day, the experience appeared to be continuing.

Contact Loren Stanton at 385-6068 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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