Dunkin' to Open Drive-Thru in Ontario
A Dunkin' drive-thru is planned for the former Sears Auto Center site at 627 Richland Mall, with demolition set to begin Monday.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Dunkin' plans to open a drive-thru location in Ontario on the former Sears Auto Center site at 627 Richland Mall. Demolition of the vacant structure is scheduled to begin Monday and is expected to wrap up Dec. 24.
Why it matters
The project would create a four-tenant retail strip anchored by a Dunkin' drive-thru on the western edge of the mall property. It remains under preliminary site plan review, and changes could still occur before final approvals.
The four-tenant strip includes the Dunkin' drive-thru and three additional commercial suites of roughly 2,082 square feet each. The project remains under preliminary site plan review, and the June 1 opening date is tentative pending final approvals.
The players
Dunkin'
Dunkin' is a coffee and baked goods chain known for its drive-thru locations and is the anchor tenant of the planned Ontario development.
Coles Central, Inc.
Coles Central, Inc. of Milan is the client for the Ontario retail development project.
Janotta & Herner
Janotta & Herner of Monroeville is the design-build contractor for the project.
Van Horn Hoover
Van Horn Hoover of Findlay is the civil engineering firm working on the project.
S&S Hauling & Excavating
S&S Hauling & Excavating of Fremont is the company that will demolish the vacant structure and haul away its foundation.
The details
Crews will clear the former Sears Auto Center structure, then complete grading and utility tie-ins before pouring the foundation. The Dunkin' will sit at the northern end of the building with a dedicated drive-thru lane and a separate bypass lane, using Dunkin's "Next Gen" design.
Timeline
Monday: Demolition of the former Sears Auto Center structure is scheduled to begin.
Dec. 24: Demolition work is expected to wrap up.
June 1: Dunkin' is tentatively scheduled to open.
Market Landscape
The Ontario project follows the pattern of recent HomeGoods and Chick-fil-A openings along North Lexington-Springmill Road, where national chains have been filling commercial space. Adding a Dunkin' drive-thru to the western edge of Richland Mall extends that corridor's recent wave of chain-restaurant and retail activity.
If approved, the development would add a Dunkin' drive-thru and three additional commercial suites to the western side of Richland Mall, giving local customers a new coffee and drive-thru option. Opening timing remains tentative until final approvals are granted.
The takeaway
Residents tracking Ontario's commercial growth should watch for final site plan approval, since the June 1 opening date depends on it. Bradley hopes Dunkin's investment will bring additional activity and encourage continued investment in the commercial district.
What happens next
Demolition is scheduled to begin Monday and wrap up Dec. 24, with Dunkin' tentatively scheduled to open June 1 pending final approvals.
Further reading
Browse more Openings & Closings news for Ontario businesses.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Richland Source.
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