Dunkin’ Announces New Stores, Damascus Tower Licensing Deal

“Damascus runs on Dunkin’!” proclaimed franchise owner Eddie Hughes on Thursday, announcing the locations of two new Dunkin’ stores in the northern Montgomery County community.

Flanked by County Executive Mark Elrich and WSSC Commissioner Jonathan Powell, Hughes also announced a 25-year licensing deal that will see the Dunkin’ "DD" painted on the Damascus water tower using the high school’s traditional font.

The new stores will be located at 26400 Ridge Road, formerly Papi's Chicken & Grill restaurant, in the building shared with Jimmie Cone; and at 9840 Main Street, site of the former Druid Theater.

“With the addition of these locations, Damascus is no longer the only unincorporated census-designated area in the county with only a single Dunkin'” said Hughes, who also owns the franchise located at 9803 Main Street in the Damascus Shopping Center.

The Ridge Road location will utilize Dunkin’s proprietary Double-Sided Drive-Through Design, also known as the DD DDD.  Engineered for buildings bordered by two thoroughfares, the DD DDD will enable the store to have drive-thru entrances and exits on both Ridge Road and Lewis Drive.

The Ridge Road store is expected to open by year's end. The Dunkin’ slated for the Druid Theater location will open in late 2025. A demolition permit has been filed for the existing structure on the site.

According to Elrich, proceeds from the water tower licensing deal will offset 14.4 million in excess spending associated with the county's purchase of electric school buses last year.

Dunkin' branding on the water tower is expected to coincide with the start of the school year. “We were hypersensitive to the needs of the community, especially students and parents. Our 25-year deal makes sure not just one–but two–stylized Damascus High 'Ds' stand guard over the gridiron for generations to come," said Powell.