Donut lovers, hang on to your crullers – it looks like Dunkin’ Donuts will find its way to the Chippewa Valley next year. Travel Mart, Inc. recently signed a development agreement for seven new restaurants in Chippewa Valley and La Crosse areas – including shops in both Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire. The first restaurant is opening in 2014 and the final six will find a home by 2020. According to WQOW, the first shop will be in Eau Claire.  

Travel Mart, Inc., is a "retailer of fuel and food products in convenience stores" headquartered in Dells, Wis.

Each pastry station could come in one of four different prefab designs with names like Cappuccino Blend, Dark Roast, and Jazz Brew.   We're  crossing our fingers for "Jazz Brew."

I can’t say that I’ve ever been in a Dunkin’ Donuts, but I was intrigued by their claim to have the “Best Coffee in America” (they tried – and failed – to make that their slogan in 2012). Looks like an extensive coffee selection, their trademark donuts, and a menu with items like pretzel roll sandwiches keep customers coming through their doors – whether the coffee is America's best or not.

Despite the Valley's current plethora of coffee shops, you can bet people will flock to a new Dunkin' Donuts. (Consider the lines at Chipotle when it opened last year.) I mean, highly-questionable menu items like the Glazed Donut Breakfast Sandwich (bacon, egg, and cheese between two slices of glazed donut) are not easily unnoticed.