After an absence of several years, Dunkin’ Donuts will return to the Denver metro area, with the first of 11 new stores to open later this year.

“We’ve signed a development agreement with Dunkin’ Donuts for 11 stores, all north of Interstate 70,” said Mitchell Lowe, vice president of development and general counsel of Sizzling Platter.

Lowe said Wednesday that his group is searching for sites in areas such as Arvada, Westminster, Northglenn, Thornton, Boulder, Broomfield, Brighton and Longmont.

“Our goal is definitely to get a store open this calendar year,” Lowe said.

Based in Utah, Sizzling Platter is a restaurant management company that operates 124 restaurants in seven states under the names of Little Caesars, Sizzler, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Red River Steakhouse and Hoppers Grill & Brew Pub. Currently, Sizzling Platter operates Little Caesars stores in the metro area.

A new subsidiary of Sizzling Platter — Sizzling Donuts — will operate the national donut-and-coffee chain in the north Denver area. It also will open eight Dunkin’ Donuts stores in El Paso, Texas, as part of the multi-store development agreement.

Dunkin’ Donuts is working with other franchisees on stores in other parts of Colorado, with other franchise opportunities available, the Massachusetts-based company said. It plans to expand with single and multi-unit franchises.

Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts has more than 10,000 restaurants spread across 32 countries. Its global sales were $6 billion in 2010.

Ann Schrader: 303-954-1967 or aschrader@denverpost.com

