The site of the planned Dunkin’ Donuts store in Rio Rancho. Amy Byres photo.

Dunkin’ Donuts plans to open its Rio Rancho store late this year.

“We are thrilled to serve our signature coffee and doughnut offerings, as well as a variety of other food and beverage items to the Rio Rancho community the end of this year,” shared Dunkin’ franchisee Amin Habib. “Rio Rancho is one of the fastest-growing communities in New Mexico, and our team is proud to be part of that economic growth and provide additional jobs for local community members in our newest location.”

The company had a store in Rio Rancho in the ‘90s on Southern Boulevard, where Pizza Hut is now, said Sandoval County Commission Chairman David Heil on Facebook.

“Great to see DD return,” he said.

The store to be built on NM 528 near Barbara Loop will be roughly 2,000 square feet with a drive-thru, said Dunkin’ Donuts spokeswoman Heather Austin. It will have about 16 seats inside and about 12 seats on a patio, she said.

“We are excited to welcome them to Rio Rancho,” Mayor Gregg Hull said.

This Dunkin’ Donuts will have no Baskin-Robbins component, he said.