The new outpost of Dunkin’ occupies the former Starbucks space at Pacific Plaza on Garnet Avenue, a site that had sat in development limbo since plans were first announced in 2023. The Pacific Beach Dunkin’ is operated by Burton Restaurants LLC, the San Diego–based franchise group led by military veteran Tali Burton, who controls nearly all Dunkin’ locations in the county.
The new store features Dunkin’s modern “Next Generation” design, including upgraded bakery cases, a mobile pickup area, and a cold beverage tap system capable of serving Nitro cold brew. Its opening marks Dunkin’s 16th location in San Diego County and comes after repeated construction pauses and shifting timelines that extended well beyond the brand’s original late-2023 target.
Already open right next door is Jimmy John’s, which quietly debuted in mid-September 2025 in the former Einstein Bros. Bagels space within the same Pacific Plaza complex. Like Dunkin’, the Pacific Beach Jimmy John’s is owned and operated by Burton’s franchise group and is part of a broader regional rollout tied to Inspire Brands, the parent company of both chains. The side-by-side presence reflects Inspire’s push to cluster its fast-casual concepts and Burton’s strategy of pairing coffee and sandwich brands in high-traffic neighborhoods.
With both concepts now operational, the long-promised Pacific Plaza transformation is finally complete, bringing two national chains under common ownership to a stretch of Garnet Avenue that has seen years of tenant turnover and delayed redevelopment.
Dunkin’ is now open at 1774-A Garnet Avenue, while Jimmy John’s operates next door at 1772-F Garnet Avenue in San Diego’s Pacific Beach. For more information, visit jimmyjohns.com and dunkindonuts.com.
Originally published on December 19, 2024.