Dunkin' Donuts Accepting Community Hero Award Nominations for Second Annual 'Thanks to You' Program

Dunkin' Donuts and Its Local Franchisees Will Honor 10 Central Pennsylvania Heroes

HARRISBURG, PA. (09/19/2011)(readMedia)-- Dunkin' Donuts of Central Pennsylvania today announced it is accepting Community Hero Award nominations for its second annual "Thanks To You" program, now through Nov. 1.

"The Central PA Dunkin' Donuts 'Thanks To You' Community Hero Award is a celebration of those who impact, improve and inspire our local community," said Alex Smigelski, a local franchisee in the Central PA region. "The Community Hero Award gives Central Pennsylvanians a chance to recognize the everyday heroes who selflessly serve our communities every day."

Dunkin' Donuts will honor Central Pennsylvania heroes selected from nominations submitted by community members. The top 10 heroes will receive the Dunkin' Donuts "Thanks to You" Community Hero Award, which includes free coffee for a year and a $500 American Express gift card. An additional 100 local heroes will be recognized for their service with free coffee for a year at Dunkin' Donuts.

To nominate an individual for the Central PA "Thanks To You" Community Hero Award, visit: www.DDThanksToYou.com.

The winners will be selected based the nominees' contributions to the residents of their local community, their community-driven activities and accomplishments within their local community, and the creativity and originality of the nomination submission. *Nominations must be made for "community heroes" serving: Harrisburg, Lancaster, and/or York PA (Specifically Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and/or York counties).

"Our local franchisees of Central Pennsylvania are committed to our community, and this program is our way of saying "thank you" to those who serve us every day," said Smigelski. "We also want to provide a forum for our customers to thank and recognize their own local heroes--people who had made a difference in their communities and in their lives."

In 2010, the Central PA Dunkin' Donuts honored 10 extraordinary individuals in its inaugural year of the 'Thanks To You' Program. Those recognized served the Central PA community with purpose and passion in roles ranging from teachers to non-profit activists. Entering the second year of the program, the Central PA Dunkin' Donuts looks to continue honoring local unsung heroes and celebrating the work they do for the Central PA community.

About Dunkin' Donuts

Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is America's favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin' Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for five years running. The company has more than 9,700 restaurants in 31 countries worldwide. In 2010, Dunkin' Donuts' global system-wide sales were $6 billion. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin' Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: DNKN). For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

Contact: David La Torre, 717-608-6337