A newly renovated Dunkin’ Donuts attracted massive crowds the week of its grand opening. Photo Courtesy of Leo Brine/Hofstra Chronicle.
After undergoing renovations for nearly half a semester, Café on the Quad has officially reopened as a Dunkin’ Donuts.
“We’ve received numerous positive feedback from students who have been waiting anxiously for the franchise’s opening on campus. Our social media pages have received mostly positive comments and have had the most interactions since the store’s opening. Many are pleased with the design of the new space and love [that] they can finally buy Dunkin’ products using their meal plan … ” said Candace Chau, the marketing and communications manager at Compass Group.
Students like Maggie Sullivan, a sophomore drama production major, are very happy that Dunkin’ Donuts is finally open after having been under construction for over three months. “Dunkin’s coffee runs through our veins …” Sullivan said.
Senior business economics major Bret Francis was ecstatic when he found out that there would be a Dunkin’ Donuts coming to campus. He and junior marketing major Natasha Morris came to the Dunkin’ at 8:30 a.m. on Monday so they could get what they had been waiting for. Morris was excited by the full menu saying, “You can get so much more now!”
Aside from the positive feedback, many students have negative feelings about the long lines that Dunkin’ drew in its opening week.
Freshman journalism major Courtney Ingalls is from Massachusetts where Dunkin’s headquarters are located. Ingalls grew up with Dunkin’ and loves the product; however, she does not love the long lines at the store. She says that it takes the staff a long time to prepare anything that is ordered.
Chau said of the long lines “… Even though the location has been continuously busy with lines sometimes reaching out the door, students have been very understanding, especially during our peak service periods. We’re happy as long as our guests are, and we greatly appreciate everyone’s patience throughout the opening process.”
Some students are sad to see Starbucks go and were a little irritated that the Dunkin’ took such a long time to build, lasting through midterms. “You need coffee on this side of campus,” said Julian Rhodes, a junior film major, “… there was a void on campus. [It’s not really about the coffee] I like both equally, but [we need places to study].”