Dunkin' Donuts opens in Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- A pink carpet was rolled out in Santa Monica for the return of Dunkin' Donuts in Southern California.

The store is located on 12th Street and Wilshire Boulevard.

A crowd of excited people stood in line ahead of the grand opening at 5 a.m. Tuesday. Dunkin' Donuts offered free coffee for a year for the first person in line, and the first 100 customers received a bag of goodies.

"We're certain Dunkin' Donuts will quickly become an integral part of Angelenos' daily routine," said Dunkin' Donuts President Paul Twohig in a statement.

Dunkin' Donuts used to have about 15 California stores in the late 1990s.

"The locations closed because the time wasn't right for the brand," said Justin Drake of Dunkin' Donuts.

The company plans to open stores in Whittier, Downey and Long Beach in the coming months and between 150 to 200 stores in California by 2020.

Dunkin' Donuts was founded in 1950 and is based in Massachusetts.