Dunkin' Donuts opens first So. California store, and everyone is really, really excited

Dunkin' Donuts opened its first Southern California store on Tuesday, with fans of the Massachussetts-based coffee and doughnuts chain lining up hours ahead of its 5 a.m. opening.

The first 100 people through its doors received complimentary tote bags filled with Dunkin' Donuts swag.

The first person, who identified himself as Johnny Hoops, said he had been waiting outside the store since Sunday. He received a year's worth of free Dunkin' Donuts coffee for his effort, the company said.

“I love Dunkin’ Donuts, and I’m glad it's in California now,” Hoops, a Connecticut native, told KTLA.

By 6 a.m., more than 200 people were waiting in a line that stretched several blocks. Eater.com described the frenzy as "cronut-like," a reference to New York City's cronut craze.

“I loved the brand in New Jersey, where I’m from, and I couldn’t believe there were no stores here,” franchise owner Gary Haar told CBSLA.com. "I thought it was a fabulous opportunity, so I ran with it."

The L.A. outpost is one of nearly 11,000 Dunkin' Donuts stores worldwide. The first Dunkin’ Donuts was opened in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts, with its first franchise founded in 1955.

Last month, Dunkin’ Donuts opened its first Northern California location in Modesto, and it has franchise agreements for more than 150 others in the state.

"Over time, there are plans for as many as 1,000 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants throughout the state," the company said in July.