Many people will go to a donut shop to sit down and enjoy doughnuts for breakfast or as a snack. Other customers will want to take donuts with them instead of eating them in the store. Opening a successful donut shop involves meeting the needs of both types of customers.

When making the most of donut shops, whether you are opening, expanding or remodeling a donut shop business, consider these options:

1. Keep your donuts consistent to keep customers coming back to your donut store.

2. Make your doughnuts taste better by creating a relaxing atmosphere for your customers.

3. Sell beverages that compliment your donuts.

4. Find new customers by using effective advertising techniques.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use reliable doughnut store supplies

When you open a donut shop, your main focus should be producing donuts that will make your customers' taste buds dance for joy. Using reliable equipment and finding a donut mix that is affordable and tastes good are the keys to pleasing your customers.

I recommend: BakeryEquipment.com offers a checklist of necessary equipment to open a donut shop. You can order products straight from the list to make it easier to ensure you have all of the necessary equipment. FoodServiceDirect.com has a varied selection of donut mixes for sale, including specialty mixes, such as Danish mix.

Create a relaxing atmosphere in your doughnut shops

If you want to set your donut shop apart from donut franchises, you have to create a homey atmosphere that allows your customers to relax and enjoy their doughnuts. You can do this by choosing comfortable furnishings and offering outdoor seating when the weather is nice, even if you only have room to place one or two small tables on the sidewalk.

I recommend: DecorativeDining.com offers furnishings for donut shops, including specialty table tops. This company offers quantity discounts on all items. Coffee Shop Stuff has an interior design service for coffee shops and donut shops. This company also sells a varied selection of donut shop furnishings, even if you decide to forgo the interior design service.

Offer beverages in your donut business

Customers may stop at your donut store on their way to work or to simply sit down and enjoy their doughnuts. Offering beverages in your doughnut business makes it easy for you to meet the needs of all of your customers.

I recommend: EspressoRockyMountain.com specializes in providing donut shops with the equipment. This company offers automatic, premixed and steamer style espresso machines. CVCoffee.com sells coffee, juice, water and sodas to sell in your donut shop.

Advertise your doughnut store

Customers can't come to your doughnut shop if they don't know about it. Advertising your doughnut shop can be as simple as delivering complimentary donuts to local businesses in boxes that have your shops name and address on them. Once customers start coming to your store, sell or give away mugs, including travel mugs, to customers as another way to advertise your business.

I recommend: Casad sells customized donut boxes that feature your donut shop name or logo. DiscountMugs.com offers customized coffee mugs in a variety of different styles, including bistro, espresso and travel mugs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider adding a drive thru window for customers who want to buy donuts from your donut shop but, don't have time to come inside.

A donut store has several advantages as a business venture. For one thing, donuts are delicious. Everyone loves them. Another thing is that donut shops still sell cheap treats, while prices of many consumer goods are on the rise.

The cost of ingredients and supplies for a donut shop franchise is relatively low. Likewise, your expense for startup equipment is lower compared to other business ventures you might consider. The basic donut operation concept is a relatively simple one.

Thinking about opening your own donut shop? Ponder these points:

1. Decide how you want to structure your donut shop business.

2. Get training in the donut business.

3. Consider a unique donut business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select a business structure for your donut business

How do you want to organize your donut store? You could chose from one of many donut franchises or you might want to open a donut shop that is a stand-alone store. Donut franchises offer the benefits of a standardized operation, while a stand-alone donut shop provides you the freedom to choose your own business model.

I recommend: Identify the different types of donut shops that you can open. Some websites to check out are Donut Connection, Paradise Donuts and Dunkin’ Donuts. You can also find existing donut shops for sale on Business Nation.com.

Get training for running a donut business and making donuts

Donut franchises offer training in their business model, so you won't be left all alone. As an independent donut store operator, however, you may need training in operating a food service business. And if you're going to open a donut shop, you should know how to make donuts, right?

I recommend: Donutedvd will have you turning out professional donuts in no time. LaMar's Donuts offers an in-depth training program inside one of their existing stores. Daylight Donut offers on-site training and support.

Consider an out-of-the-ordinary donut shop

As you contemplate opening a donut shop, remember to look at unique opportunities where you can fill a niche. One option is opening a mobile donut shop. Setting up at craft fairs, auctions, fairgrounds and other venues means no permanent location with associated utilities and rent costs. If you want to try a really cutting-edge idea in the donut business, you might consider a donut vending machine. Just imagine providing customers with a fresh, hot donut in less than a minute.

I recommend: Lil' Orbits specializes in equipment for mini-donut concession stands and kiosks. Read success stories about how other operators are conducting business on their website. MONO is introducing a Hot Mini Donut Vending System. The possibilities for placement of these donut vending machines are limited only by your imagination.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Count the cost prior to committing. Can you afford to run your donut shop business at a loss in the beginning?
• •  Consider how you can fill a niche that is currently untapped by competitors in the donut business. Offering a new product or unique service, or locating in an under served area, are a few ways you can be competitive.

Purchasing all of the necessary supplies for donut shops ensures that you can make, market and sell your product without having to worry about running out to buy supplies. In some cases, it may be more feasible for you to purchase only basic equipment and supplies when you first open your doughnut business and then upgrade when business picks up.

Keep the following ideas in mind when purchasing supplies for your donut shop:

1. Pick reliable equipment to prevent losing business because you can't make doughnuts.

2. Make food safety a priority by purchasing appropriate storage containers, refrigerators and freezers.

3. Choose the mix for your doughnut shops selectively to ensure customer satisfaction.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase quality donut making equipment for your donut shop

When you open a donut shop, your main expense is the equipment to make the donuts. While it may seem tempting to purchase the most inexpensive equipment, you must remember that it is important to purchase reliable equipment, even if you have to spend a little more money. You need to buy donut fryers, cutters, screens, fillers and trays. In some cases, you may also need proofing boxes and other specialized equipment.

I recommend: AbleKitchen.com has a varied selection of donut making equipment, including fryers, cutters and screens. This company offers wholesale prices and free shipping on qualified orders. Avalon Manufacturing specializes in helping donut shops find the best equipment for their needs. This company offers gas and electric equipment.

Store the doughnut ingredients in your doughnut shops

Practicing proper food safety is necessary to ensure that you only serve safe foods to your customers. One of the ways you can ensure food safety is to purchase storage containers, refrigerators and freezers for your doughnut store. You may find that you need to purchase multiple units, especially as your business grows.

I recommend: Cafe' Products has a varied selection of commercial refrigerators and freezers, including under counter units and wall units. This company offers competitive prices. Carlisle has numerous food storage solutions appropriate for a donut business.

Find a quality mix to make the donuts for your donut shop business

You will need ingredients to make your donuts if you decide not to join one of the many donut franchises. It is important for you to find a quality donut mix that is affordable and tastes good. You may want to try the mix out at home so you can taste it before you sell it. Keep in mind that consistency is the key to having a successful donut store, as this is what will keep customers coming back time and time again.

I recommend: Cobatco and America's Classic Foods both sell commercial donut mixes and icing ingredients. You can contact either company for personalized customer service and ordering.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A cash register may be a good investment for your donut shop since it can tally sales and help you keep track of your money.

Getting ready to open a donut shop can be an exciting experience. But in order to make the most of your new business, it is important that you have a good understanding of donut shop key terms. You should know all about franchises and royalty fees. You should be ready to buy major equipment, such as donut fryers and dough sheeters. And you should keep your kitchen clean and organized, with products such as ingredient bins and a floor rack system.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Franchise and franchisee

The owner of a donut shop that is a franchise, called the franchisee, pays to use the name and to get the resources and support of a larger parent company. The franchise owner typically runs the restaurant, owns the equipment and trains the employees, but must follow specific company rules about signs, color schemes, prices and products.

I recommend: To learn much more about how franchises work in general, take a look at FranchiseBuyer.info. DD IP Holder answers specific questions about donut shop franchises and how people can become franchisees.

Royalty fees

Royalty fees are paid by a franchised donut shop to the parent corporation. In the donut business, they typically amount to 4% to 7% of a franchise's total sales. They are usually paid on a monthly basis.

I recommend: For good general information about franchise royalty fees, check out FranchiseFetch.com. Paradise Donuts has information that is specific to donut shops.

Donut fryer

A donut fryer is used to cook your donuts. Standard floor fryers can make about 100 to 150 dozen donuts per hour. Smaller countertop models can make about 40 to 50 dozen donuts per hour.

I recommend: Tamco Food Equipment provides pictures and details about donut fryers. Click pictures of individual units to view the features of the fryer.

Dough sheeter

A dough sheeter automatically rolls out dough for donuts and other bakery products. It saves you time and labor, and it can be set up to cut the dough into the appropriate shape.

I recommend: Foodservicedirect.com has pictures and much more information about dough sheeters.

Floor rack system

A floor rack system helps keep the floors in busy donut shop work areas clean and dry. The system is typically made of heavy-duty plastic tiles with holes. They can be used in storage areas to keep boxes and products off the floor, or in cooking and washing areas to keep employees from slipping.

I recommend: To see an example of a floor rack system and to read more about it, check out Carlisle FoodService Products.

Ingredient bins

Ingredient bins are large portable plastic storage containers that are great for holding large quantities of flour, sugar, donut mix or other dry goods. Most ingredient bins come with wheels.

I recommend: Galasource Ventures displays more than a dozen types of ingredient bins. Click on the item for more details.