Dunkin' is about to move into a familiar Central Ohio corner, taking over a site that once housed a Hardee's and the Ohio Deli. The latest conversion continues a regional trend of fast-food buildings getting recycled into coffee-and-breakfast hubs, and it will give commuters and students one more spot to grab caffeine on the way to work or class.
As first reported by Columbus Business First, Dunkin' is set to take over the vacated property and begin turning it into a branded shop. The outlet notes this is the same address that previously hosted both a Hardee's and the Ohio Deli.
Another Conversion In The Pipeline
This is not a one-off. Across Central Ohio, Dunkin' has been steadily snapping up old drive-thru real estate and flipping it for coffee service. Earlier this year, job listings and permits surfaced for a plan to convert a former Steak 'n Shake bay at Mill Run near Hilliard, mirroring how the chain has moved into other nearby locations.
How Local Filings Tip You Off
If you want an early heads-up on where the next pink-and-orange sign might land, the clues usually show up in public records long before any banner goes on the building. Many Dunkin' projects first appear as building permits, fire-suppression system filings and health department plan reviews.
The city's permit portal lists records for past work at the former Hardee's property, according to the Columbus Department of Building and Zoning. A change-of-ownership list from Columbus Public Health shows Dunkin' plan reviews at nearby addresses, another telltale sign that the brand has been scouting the area.
What Neighbors Can Expect
There is no countdown clock yet. The chain has not announced an opening date, and Columbus Business First reports that no timeline was listed in initial information about the project.
Local coverage notes that Dunkin' already operates roughly 300 locations across Ohio, a footprint that keeps growing in Columbus neighborhoods; 614NOW is the source for that figure. For residents watching this latest conversion, the best indicators that opening day is getting close will be fresh job postings and a new wave of permits hitting the public portals.
