Dunkin’ Donuts is returning to Springfield

Dunkin’ Donuts is returning to Springfield.

Franchisees Thomas and Cory Roebuck have signed an agreement to develop three locations in Springfield, the company said in a Tuesday news release. The first restaurant is slated to open at 4020 S. Campbell Avenue in December 2015, with the remainder opening by 2019.

"We are excited to expand the brand's presence in Missouri and play an important role in the daily lives of people who live, work and visit here," Cory Roebuck said in the release. "We have a passion and loyalty for the Dunkin' Donuts brand and look forward to opening our restaurants in the years to come."

Massachusetts-based Dunkin’ used to have a presence in Springfield, but a company representative couldn’t immediately say how long the chain has been removed from the market. The planned return was first reported by the Springfield Business Journal.

The company has been trying to fuel growth in Missouri and Oklahoma by offering special development incentives to franchisees, which include reduced royalty fees for three years and up to $5,000 in local store marketing support for timely openings.

"Our enthusiastic and dedicated franchisees contribute to our brand's growth, which has helped solidify our position as one of the fastest growing brands by unit count in the quick-service restaurant industry," Grant Benson, vice president of global franchising and business development for Dunkin' Brands, said in the release. "We are thrilled these new franchisees have joined the Missouri market, and know these new restaurants they are developing will satisfy a growing consumer demand in the Springfield community."