Dogs will get their own drive-thru lane at a Quincy Dunkin’ this week, part of a nationwide push tied to National Dog Day that doubles as a fundraiser for children’s hospitals. The three-hour event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, at 588 Washington St., where human customers will use one lane while a second lane is reserved entirely for canine visitors picking up treats and a limited-edition BARK x Dunkin’ bandana.
A First-Of-Its-Kind Lane In Dunkin’s Hometown
The setup marks Dunkin’s first drive-thru lane set aside specifically for canine customers, according to MassLive. The location isn’t random: Quincy is where William Rosenberg opened the first Dunkin’ Donuts shop at 543 Southern Artery in 1950, after running the business as Open Kettle for two years, per Atlas Obscura. Dunkin’ is now headquartered in nearby Canton and has operated as a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Inspire Brands, which also owns Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Baskin-Robbins, Jimmy John’s and SONIC, since a December 2020 acquisition, according to Inspire Brands.
Dave Stangle said the tradition has become something dog parents look forward to, adding that the dedicated lane makes dogs being served official, per the MassLive report. Participating pups can also pick up a plush toy from the 2026 Dunkin’ x BARK collection with a donation to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, and all of this year’s toys are distributed while supplies last at participating Dunkin’ locations nationwide.
Toys Modeled After Menu Favorites
The 2026 collection includes three dog toys modeled after Dunkin’ menu items. The Wake-Up Wrap toy, which includes two squeakers, is available with a $14 donation, while the Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher and Donuts toy — featuring two squeakers and a rope — comes with a $16 donation. An Iced Signature Latte and Chocolate Frosted Sprinkles Donut toy is available exclusively online at bark.co/dunkin with a $20 donation.
Beyond Quincy, select Dunkin’ locations in New York, California and Illinois will hand out bandanas and plush toys on National Dog Day, including flagship stores at 1703 Third Ave. in New York City, 3200 Yorba Linda Blvd. in Fullerton, California, and 1201 S. Naper Blvd. in Naperville, Illinois, according to Delishably. Plush toys are sold nationwide and online, though the bandanas are limited to those designated flagship locations.
Why The Party Stays Outside
The dog-only lane arrangement isn’t just for show — it also reflects food safety rules. Under Section 6-501.115 of the 2022 FDA Food Code, pet dogs are permitted in outdoor dining spaces if local health authorities approve, but non-service animals remain strictly barred from indoor food preparation and dining areas, per Better Cities for Pets. That regulatory separation is part of why drive-thru lanes, rather than indoor counters, have become the venue of choice for fast-food dog promotions like this one.
Seven Years, Millions Raised For Hospitalized Kids
The Dunkin’-BARK partnership is now in its seventh year and has sold more than 1 million dog toys, raising more than $15 million for the Joy in Childhood Foundation, according to the MassLive report. Mollie Collum said every toy supports programs such as Dogs for Joy, adding that the BARK collaboration brings together pets, communities and giving back.
The Dogs for Joy program places trained facility dogs in children’s hospitals, and has so far placed 54 dogs at 37 hospitals across the country. These aren’t occasional visitors — facility dogs funded through the program receive more than 1,500 hours of individualized instruction and 2,250 hours of group training so they can work full-time alongside healthcare staff, according to McLeod Health. The dogs assist young patients with taking medication and getting through medical procedures, working alongside professional handlers such as child life specialists or social workers.
The program’s reach extends into Massachusetts. In May 2024, the Joy in Childhood Foundation granted $200,000 to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Clinic in Boston to onboard Opry, a Golden Retriever who became the hospital’s first full-time in-residence facility dog, according to The Jimmy Fund. Dunkin’ franchisees and its foundation have donated more than $16 million to Dana-Farber since 1991, the same source notes.
The Joy in Childhood Foundation, established 20 years ago, is marking its anniversary this year and has granted more than $70 million to charities across the country. National Dog Day itself dates back to 2004, founded by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige, who chose August 26 because it was the date her family adopted her first shelter dog when she was 10 years old, according to DayAlmanac.
-4.webp?w=160&h=400&fit=crop&crop=edges)