Donut Business Questions
General Donut Shop Questions
February 27, 2011 | 
Author Here are some more questions I have been recieving over the past several months.... I am going to do a posting once or twice a week of all the questions I have recieved.. Don't worry I will not post your name or give any identifying information.. If you don't want your questions published, let me know. You can click on the Ask A Question tab to ask your question.
Richard asks…
I gotta have some ideas to increase sales for my donut shop.. do you have any ideas? Especially around the holidays?
I was trying to ask this on the forums but was locked out for some reason and I have had no response from admin... I purchased an established donut business and would like to find out how to drum up business... and bring more attention to my shop... I would like to keep it clean since it is a family business and town..
John answers:
First I'd like to congratulate you on your donut business.. I should be asking you questions not hte other way around.. 
But how about having some holiday donut decorating classes, how to make donuts and the fillings that go in there... Have some special holiday only specials.. really decorate your store for the holidays.. Maybe you could do somethng for the kids as well.. like have a coloring contest with a prize from the store.. perhaps maybe even sponsor some senior or children's events at your store.. I know that a store (not donut) does that around my area and seem to be quite successful with it...
Linda asks…
I work for ( manager) for a donut shop and need some ideas?
I am trying ot think of things i can bake and sale for halloween i am going to try candy apples but is there anything else u think would be good or u would like to see in a donut shop???
John answers:
I would try anything with nuts and candy corn, add some orange color in there... always a hit..
Robert asks…
I am looking for a donut cutter in madrid?
John answers:
I don't think donuts are cut.
Maria asks…
I am a student and am looking to find out the percentage percent charged on gross sales by a franchise (for a donut shop)
I am doing research for school and am purchasing mock businesses... I chose to start a donut shop.. I am going to use your blog (with your permission) to get some ideas and mention in my assignment... thanks so much!!!
John answers:
That is very interesting... good luck on your project.. We still have a ways to go, but we are well educated (we feel) in the area of donuts.. To answer your question, not all franchises charge a percentage of sales..
I emailed you some links about franchising, specifically donuts, and yes you can use our blog in your research. Good luck!
Posted in Donut Business Questions | 
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Your questions about How to Start a Donut Business
Each week (maybe even 2 or 3 times a week) I am going to answer questions that I've recieved since starting this blog almost 2 years ago.... I still get questions averaging about 3 or 4 a week... I am going to start sorting through my email and posting the answers to all the questions I have recieved... of course the names have been protected and I wouldn't dare put anyone's real name unless I was asked to..... Keep those questions coming, you can ask them on the Ask a Question Tab.
Today I am answering questions about donut franchises... enjoy!
Charles asks…
How do I start a donut business such as Dunkin or JCO? or JCO Donuts?
I know its a franchise business so I want to know how much is the money involve n what license do i need to apply ... I can't seem to find any definitive answers on franchises...
John answers:
Personally, For donuts, I would not franchise... I have looked into different franchising oportunities and it just isn't worth it in my opinion. Now I agree that branding makes a huge difference in a restuarant on in the food industry.. however, donuts are a little different. If you have a good donut recipe and something catchy, you would not need the huge overhead of a franchise.
My suggestions.
1. Attend some training in baking or confections... a lot of times there are classes at your local community college.
2. Experiment of the different donut
variations ... check our our website mydonutrecipe.com Ed Chastain also puts out a good product where he teaches you how to make donuts, it is really that good. Experiment and come up with something on your own.
3. Open your donut shop with coffee, your own drinks... something catchy.
4. Start selling your donuts to churches, concessions (see our main blog), see if people like the taste of them before you invest in a lot of equipment, etc.
This is cheaper but riskier... but business is all about risk..
Lizzie asks…
where is the JCo donuts & coffee headquarters?
John answers:
It is owned and operated by the Johnny Andrean Group and has its HQ in Jakarta:
Supermall Karawaci
Phone (021) 5421 1998
Email : hello@jcodonuts.com
http://www.jcodonuts.com/
Maria asks…
where I can buy donuts in Krakow, Poland?
John answers:
Wow, this is an interesting question... Personally I have never been to Poland (lived in Europe for several years though, specifically in Germany) The only thing I know about Polish donuts is "paczki" though I have never had them personally... I run into a lot of recipes for them.. going to have to try them one day soon I guess.
Posted in Donut Business Questions | Tags: Andrean, business, coffee, college, com, course, daleko, difference, donut, doughnut, Dunkin, email, equipment, food, good, Group, industry, jco, Johnny, Karawaci, Kawiarnia, license, line, lot, money, oldtown, Open, opinion, order, overhead, phone, place, recipe, restuarant, shop, something, store, Supermall, taste, tea, ThanxPowered, today, training, Yahoo | No Comments »
