Construction, hiring under way for new Coralville Dunkin' Donuts

Construction on a new Dunkin' Donuts in Coralville has begun, and developers are interviewing prospective employees for the doughnut chain's new location.

Crews began work last week to transform the former Sonic drive-in restaurant at 604 Second St. into a new Dunkin' Donuts, according to Carrie Reckert, spokeswoman for Dunkin' Donuts Midwest.

The restaurant, which is owned by Eastern Iowa Food Service LLC, is expected to open this summer and is interviewing job candidates, according to Reckert. Those positions include shift manager and crew members.

Eastern Iowa Food Service is a subsidiary of Reif Oil Co., which is based in Burlington.

According to Andrea Farley, a managing partner of Eastern Iowa Food Service, her company plans to open three new Dunkin' Donuts this year in Eastern Iowa and a total of 12 new restaurants over the next six years.

The Sonic that previously occupied the space on the Coralville strip opened more than four years ago and closed more than a year ago, along with Sonic eateries in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo.

There are no other doughnut-dedicated restaurants in Coralville, said Coralville Building and Zoning Official Jim Kessler.

Anyone interested in working at the Dunkin' Donuts can send a resume to andrea@eifoods.com.