New 'Next Gen' Dunkin' To Hold Grand Opening In Upton

UPTON, MA — Have you ever wondered what a Dunkin' might look like in the future? Maybe not, but a new type of Dunkin' store will debut in Upton on Saturday with free coffee and other giveaways.

A "next generation" Dunkin' at 10 Hartford Ave. will hold a grand opening starting at 9 a.m. Friday. In addition to experiencing the future of Dunkin', the first 100 customers will have the chance to win free coffee for a year, plus more prizes. The Dunkin' mascot, Cuppy, will also be there.

The owner of the new Upton store, Erica Placido, will cut a ribbon with Upton Town Manager Derek Brindisi. Placido will also make a $1,000 donation to the United Parish of Upton.

But what is a next-gen Dunkin'? It's similar to a regular store, but with upgrades like cold brew coffee on tap and easier ordering through the chain's app.

"Guests at the newest New Generation location will experience various exciting elements of the modern next generation design, including a cold beverage tap system," a news release about the next-gen store said.

The next-gen concept has been around for a while. The first one debuted in Quincy (the birthplace of Dunkin' Donuts in 1950) in January 2018. The chain opened its No. 1,000 next-gen store in Woodstock, Georgia, last spring.