Duck Donuts is an American doughnut shop chain based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Duck Donuts was founded in 2006 in Duck, North Carolina, by Russ DiGilio and Robin Griffith, and has since expanded to over 100 locations in the United States (as of November 2022). The chain's products include customizable, made-to-order doughnuts, other baked goods, and a range of beverages.

Duck Donuts
Company typePrivate
Industry
Genre
Founded2006; 18 years ago (2006)
Duck, North Carolina, U.S.
FounderRussell DiGilio
Robin Griffith
Headquarters6230 Carlisle Pike
Hampden Township, Pennsylvania,
U.S.
Number of locations
111 shops (June 2024)
Area served
  • United States
  • Canada
  • Puerto Rico
  • Egypt
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Thailand
  • Philippines
Key people
Betsy Hamm – CEO
Andy Kmiec – Vice President
Products
  • Baked goods
  • Hot beverages
  • Iced beverages
  • Desserts
  • Sandwiches
  • Soft drinks
ServicesFranchising
Catering
RevenueUS$35 million (2021)[1]
Number of employees
1,200 (2021)
WebsiteDuckDonuts.com

History and operations

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Headquartered at 6230 Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township, near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania,[2][3] Duck Donuts was founded in 2006 by Russell "Russ" DiGilio, who saw a need for "warm, fresh, made-to-order doughnuts",[4] and Robin Griffith. Both natives of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, the duo met in 1992 while working in the assisted living industry.[5]

Prior to Duck Donuts, there were no doughnut shops in North Carolina's Outer Banks.[5] The first Duck Donuts shop was opened in Duck, North Carolina, from which the chain got its name,[6] followed by a second location in Kitty Hawk. The third and fourth Duck Donut shops were opened in Kill Devil Hills and Corolla respectively.[7]

For half a decade, Duck Donuts was limited to the Outer Banks, but after receiving numerous inquiries about franchising, DiGiglio finally decided to establish the Duck Donuts Franchising Company;[8] the first franchise location was opened in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2013.[9] Thereafter, the franchise began expanding to other states including Florida, New Jersey, and Georgia.[10] According to a July 2018 Franchising.com article, there are "69 open franchise locations 140 additional contracts in 23 states and two countries". In May 2018, Duck Donuts opened its first New York location in Hauppauge,[11] and two months later in July they opened their inaugural West Coast location in Huntington Beach, California.[12] In December 2018, it had expanded to Minnesota with a Woodbury location.[13] By June 2020 Duck Donuts expanded, opening their first location in Bayamón, Puerto Rico,[14] and in September 2020 the company opened its first store in Dubai, UAE.[15] That store in Dubai was closed later on. On October 2, 2023, their first location in Thailand opened in Bangkok at Siam Discovery.[16] Expansion to the Philippines was announced on January 24, 2024, with plans for 25 locations,[17] their first operational branch opening near Makati City Hall[18] on June 25 and another currently under construction at Circuit Makati.

Charitable contributions and services

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In March 2017, Duck Donuts announced its collaboration with the Nashville-based nonprofit organization Gabe's Chemo Duck Program for children with cancer,[2][19] and raised some $75,000 in September via its countrywide "Quack Gives Back" initiative.[20]

Products

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A box of doughnuts from Duck Donuts

Duck Donuts' menu predominantly comprises doughnuts, sandwiches, coffee, and desserts.[21] The cake doughnuts at Duck Donuts are made-to-order and customizable, with topping options including chopped bacon and peanuts.[22] The entire doughnut-making process is automated using doughnut makers from Belshaw Adamatic.[23]

Among the four kinds of breakfast sandwiches sold by Duck Donuts[23] is the OBX, which is described as "a sliced doughnut with egg, cheese, sausage or bacon and topped with maple drizzle and chopped bacon".[24] Duck Donuts' dessert selection includes doughnut sundaes made with Breyers ice cream.[3][25] Another thing Duck Donuts do is their seasonal donuts. In 2024, they released their Fall Favorites Dozen that were selling from September 4 through December 1. These include Cinnamon Sugar, S'mores, Bacon in the Sun, French Toast, Coffee Cake, and other offers.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Zeeman, Kat (February 5, 2018). "Duck Donuts". Franchising Today. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Duck Donuts Launches National Partnership with Gabe's Chemo Duck Program". Gabe's Chemo Duck Programme. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Gleiter, Sue (May 18, 2017). "Here's when the Duck Donuts will open in Hershey". PennLive.
  4. ^ McLean, Kate (January 5, 2018). "At Duck Donuts You Are in Control of Your Own Creation". Houston Press.
  5. ^ a b Moore, Matt (June 28, 2017). "A Sweet Success". Out & About.
  6. ^ "The Story of Duck Donuts". Duck Donuts. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  7. ^ Quine, Katie (July 2016). "Duck Donuts an Outer Banks Tradition". Our State.
  8. ^ Unrein, John (November 8, 2017). "Duck Donuts expands franchising". bakemag.com.
  9. ^ Voll, Brittany (June 19, 2013). "Duck Donuts to Open James City County Location". Williamsburg Yorktown Daily.
  10. ^ Puleo, Gary (July 11, 2017). "Duck Donuts opens its doors in King of Prussia". The Times Herald.
  11. ^ Shellwani, Pervaiz (May 18, 2018). "Duck Donuts to open first New York location in Hauppauge". Newsday.
  12. ^ "Warm, Delicious and Made-to-Order Duck Donuts Expands to California". Franchising.com. July 13, 2018.
  13. ^ Brooks, Stacy (December 7, 2018). "5 Things to know about Minnesota's first Duck Donuts". City Pages. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  14. ^ "Puerto Rico's 1st Duck Donuts store opens in Bayamón". News Is My Business. June 25, 2020.
  15. ^ "Duck Donuts expands international presence with first Dubai location".
  16. ^ "Duck Donuts® Officially Lands in Thailand with First Shop in Bangkok". October 10, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  17. ^ "Duck Donuts® Inks Largest Area Development Agreement to Open 25 Locations in Philippines". January 24, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  18. ^ Go, Marianne (June 26, 2024). "Tourism and gastronomy". The Philippine Star.
  19. ^ DuPuis, Roger (March 24, 2017). "Duck Donuts partners with 'Chemo Duck' children's charity". Central Penn Business Journal.
  20. ^ "Quack Gives Back". Duck Donuts. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  21. ^ "Menu". Duck Donuts. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  22. ^ Collins, Leslie (April 28, 2018). "Leawood will get KC area's latest fancy doughnut shop". Kansas City Business Journal.
  23. ^ a b Unrein, John (December 5, 2017). "Why cake donuts are flourishing". Food Business News.
  24. ^ Morris, Ashley (April 5, 2018). "Duck Donuts launches new doughnut breakfast sandwich". StarNews.
  25. ^ "Sandwiches and Sundaes". Duck Donuts. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  26. ^ "Fall Favorites Dozen". Duck Donuts. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
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