Dunkin’ opening first area location on Fresno State campus, as part of California push

Dunkin’, the Massachusetts-based chain known for its coffee, donuts, and irreverent and iconic Super Bowl commercials, is opening a Fresno State campus location this week, its first store in the Fresno-Clovis area as it continues a push into new California markets.

The company has a soft launch planned Thursday on the lower level of the university center. The new location could provide some competition for a Starbucks located a short walk away in the library and will replace a Taco Bell Express in the university center that has moved to Resnick Student Union.

The Starbucks in the library collected nearly $1.2 million in sales in 2023-24, according to the most recent financial documents from the Fresno State Association, the non-profit auxiliary organization that includes university dining services. That was the highest among national or regional brands on the Fresno State campus.

Dunkin’ will offer a full menu that includes specialty coffee and tea drinks, breakfast sandwiches, pastries and of course donuts. The chain was known as Dunkin’ Donuts until 2019.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, though weekend hours could change due to campus events.

The chain, popular has been gaining ground in California and the West. It has 150 locations in the state including San Joaquin Valley stores in Hanford, Madera and Visalia. There are also three Dunkin’ stores in Bakersfield.

Dunkin’ opened a distribution center in Phoenix in 2012 to support its expansion plans.