National DCP, the $2 billion supply chain management cooperative for Dunkin' Donuts franchisees, plans to open its eighth distribution center in Twinsburg, Ohio.

The center, which is located strategically between Cleveland and Akron, will fulfill and deliver ingredients, food products, beverages and supplies to the nearly 400 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the region and employ approximately 50 people.

"An important component of our 'Farm to Fork' procurement, sourcing and distribution model is facilitating expansion through distribution network optimization," noted Scott Carter, CEO for National DCP. "Twinsburg is the perfect location for our new distribution center. Our extensive analysis found that it will be the best geographic point for servicing the increasing number of Dunkin' restaurants in the region and we gained access to a talented, experienced labor pool with the Twinsburg, Cleveland and Akron markets."

NDCP has been strategically and systematically adding centers across the country in support of Dunkin' Donuts' ongoing growth. In 2015, Dunkin' Donuts franchisees opened 349 net new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the U.S., making it one of the fastest growing quick-service restaurant chains by unit count in the nation. With a footprint of 81,000 square feet and 19 truck docks, the Twinsburg distribution center will also save 1.2 million miles driven by NDCP trucks annually as a result of the more centralized new location.

"National DCP has done a tremendous job in managing the day-to-day operational costs of their infrastructure, focusing on improved service levels and, very importantly, demonstrating great expertise buying in a sometimes volatile commodities market," stated Nigel Travis, Chairman/CEO for Dunkin' Brands. "Their foresight and excellent management skills have resulted in, and I believe will continue to result in, significant cost savings, a higher level of service, and uniform product costs for Dunkin' Donuts franchisees across our US restaurant network. In a highly competitive market, NDCP is greatly contributing to franchisee profitability and, simultaneously, facilitating the national expansion of our Brand."