BRADENTON -- A Tampa company has proposed turning a blighted former auto shop on 14th Street in Bradenton into a Dunkin' Donuts fast food restaurant.

Velocity Brands Inc., managed by Steve Galloway, has filed a permit application with Manatee County to build a 1,906-square-foot drive-through restaurant at the northeast corner of U.S. 41 and State Road 70.

A rundown garage and former BP gas station now stands at the 5235 14th St. W. site, adjacent to a Dairy Queen and corner strip plaza.

The company plans to start demolition next week, said Miles Gentry, case manager for the county.

Velocity Brands submitted an application for a site plan -- the basic shell of the building -- with interior or other details not yet worked out.

The company still must file a building plan, which will require county approval.

A project cost estimate could not be provided by the county. Galloway did not return phone calls seeking comment on the project Friday.

"I would say we're about 99 percent there," Gentry said. "We're still trying to find out how to squeeze a sidewalk on 41."

Dunkin' Donuts is a national fast food franchise popular for its specialty coffees, donuts and breakfast sandwiches. There are now 13 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants between Manatee and Sarasota.

Parent Dunkin' Brands Group Inc., traded on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange, reported $46.1 million in operating income for the three months that ended June 30.

The company recorded $172.4 million in total revenue during the quarter.

Josh Salman, Herald business writer, can be reached at 941-745-7095. Follow him on Twitter@JoshSalman.