Elgin Dunkin' moving one block south for longer drive-through

Dunkin' on South Randall Road in Elgin is on the move.

The combination Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins location at 263 S. Randall Road, just south of Route 20, got unanimous rezoning approval from the Elgin City Council Wednesday to move one block south to 351 S. Randall Road.

The move will allow the restaurant to offer a longer drive-through lane than at the current location, which can accommodate only four to five cars before causing a backup on Randall Lake Crossing behind the building. Backups both north and south of the restaurant frequently block driveways and side roads.

The new location will allow for 12 cars to line the back of the strip mall leading to the new drive-through. The drive-through business accounts for 60% to 75% of the restaurant's sales.

Restaurant officials said they will remain open in their current location while work is done to prepare the slightly smaller, 2,200-square-foot new space. The move will also allow them to update their interior per their franchise agreement.

Councilperson Tish Powell said she lives nearby and was glad to approve the plan.

"I'm a huge Dunkin' Donuts coffee fan, so I know firsthand the problems with the stacking of cars in that drive-through where it exists right now," Powell said. "I'm glad to see this will allow them to stay in this area but alleviate that problem."

"And most importantly, provide me with my Dunkin' Donuts coffee morning fix close by."