Back in August, Richmond.com noted that Richmond had the 18th highest obesity rate among major American cities, and R’Biz drew a connection with the rash of health club openings and upgrades. (In a subsequent story, we noted that health clubs were going out of business, too.)

It appears that at least one other business enterprise sees Richmond as a “growth” market: Dunkin’ Donuts. Corporate officials told Louis Llovio at the Times-Dispatch that at least eight new shops will open in the Richmond area by the end of the year. Hmmm ... I wonder how many health food restaurants are planning to expand over the year ahead? Try this: Zero!

CDG Virginia LLC will own at least six of the new franchise sites, said Stan Kaplan, vice president of marketing. The company, which opened a shop off Midlothian Turnpike, is planning another on Jefferson Davis Highway next month. Locations for the other shops have not been chosen.