A simple ring of fried dough dripping with colored glaze or drenched in sugar, the donut feels like the quintessential American feast. In fact, its history dates back to medieval Europe.According toSmithsonian Magazine, first came to the United States by Dutch immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries, who called them olykoeks, or "greasy pancakes."
Today, renamed from olykoek to donut and coming in many forms such as little munkies, fritters, custard rounds, fritters and more, cakes are indeed a mainstay of American culture. They even have their national holiday (roughly) on June 2nd.
But National Donut Day isn't the only time people pack candy. According toStatistic dataApproximately 201 million Americans reported eating one or more donuts in any given year. In fact, Americans consume approx10 billion a year. Chances are, many of those 10 billion donuts come from these eight fast-food chains that are known for their decadent options. Here are the best places to go with donuts right now to get your fix.
RELATED:7 restaurant chains that serve the best brunch
1
topping
While Dunkin' may not offer the hottest donuts around, and it's pretty hard to argue that this place is the best in America, the chain is clearly doing something right. There's a little9,433 Dunkin' locations in the United Statestoday, making it America's most prolific donut-focused fast food chain.
This means that many Americans have access to some really great donuts. Dunkin' has a wide range of classic options, from plain frosting to chocolate chips and several jelly and custard variations. Additionally, the chain regularly offers special seasonal menus featuring donuts, treats, drinks, and more. The latest issummer menu that includesnew Pecan Butter Donut for Crispy Butter Pecan iced coffee. Go totoppingJune 2 and get a free donut with any drink purchase.
2
Krispy Kreme
For many people, Krispy Kreme seems to be the backbone of the American food industry. But surprisingly thereonly 358 Krispy Kreme locationsin the United States from spring 2023.
The network, while well-known, pales in comparison to Dunkin', but all is about to change. Krispy Kreme adopted last yearthe so-called hub-and-spoke business modelwhere larger production centers will be used to produce the famous donuts, which will then be shipped to retail outlets instead of always being prepared on site.
This new distribution model will make Krispy Kreme donuts more accessible, as they will be sold not only in branded donuts, but also in grocery stores, convenience stores and evenmcdonalds restaurants.Mr. Krispy Kremeall the classic variations like Dunkin' with seasonal and holiday favourites. On National Donut Day you can get onefreedonut just for visiting us or a dozen Original Glazed for $2 to buy a dozen.
3
Donuts and LaMar's coffee
LaMar is located in five states: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. It's certainly not a huge variety, but where there are LaMar locations, they tend to stick. In fact, the first store opened in Kansas City, Missouri in 1960.
The chain has been a family business for many years, although it has been operating as a franchise since the early 1990s. The donuts served today resemble those the founder started making in the 1930s. He worked on the recipe for decades before opening his shop.
Today, there are dozens of different typesdelicacies offered at Lamar's, includingcake doughnuts, puff pastries, knots, candy bars and buttermilk pancakes. Plus delicious coffee.
4
duck donuts
This chain, which has only been around since 2007, has grown to over 100 locations spread across the country. The secret to Duck Donuts' success is a strong menu of freshly baked donuts that includes many seasonal offerings.
Duck Donuts also releases boxes of selected donuts based on holidays such as Father's Day and the Fourth of July. Also, if you want, you can start with a basic donut and make your own with your favorite toppings. But if you want to try the best of the web,people all over the world rave about Bacon in the Sunwhich features a maple glaze topped with chopped bacon and a drizzle of salted caramel.
YDuck Donuts offerhardly dwell on sweets; restaurants also offer hearty breakfast sandwiches with donuts, coffee, soda, and more.
5
donut
There are sevendonutlocations. Four of them are in New York. One is about 15 miles east of New York in a mall on Long Island. Another is about 900 miles west of New York in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And the seventh is 5,125 miles south of New York in Santiago de Chile. And many more locations in South America are on the way.
Why is this New York donut shop expanding to such unexpected places? Maybe because the extremely small donuts the chain makes are also extremely good. All Donuttery donuts are quite small, only about two inches in diameter, butthey come in great flavors, e.gFlower Power with hibiscus, honey and rose petals, Purple Pig made with maple, purple potatoes and bacon and Chai Me to the Moon with chai masala and black tea.
By the way, this chain caters for parties, so if you want a truly delicious and memorable party, fundraiser, or corporate retreat, ask the Doughnuttery team to make fresh donuts on site.
6
donut voodoo
Since its inception in 2003, this Portland donut shop has become a cult sensation for fans. The company now has locations in six states and continues to grow.
The success of Voodoo Donut is not hard to understand when you see the variety it offers. Many items are real edible works of art, rich in detailed candy decorations, such as M&Ms, frosted swirls or crispy bacon.
Remember, you'll pay a pretty penny for these amazing donuts; many cost $4.50 each. But you can also get much simpler creations for a dollar, like a cinnamon sugar cake donut.
RELATED:7 restaurant chains that serve the best brunch
7
pink donuts
pink donutsthis is another donut chain that is not very large in terms of actual units. There are only nine locations in total, eight of them in southern Nevada and one in Utah. However, like Duck Donuts and Donuttery, this chain has a fewtruly unique offers. Chain signature Doughsicles, for example, are served on sticks and feature wild flavor combinations like Tutti Frutti, which is a Glazed Fruity Pebbles Cereal Glazed Donut. In addition, it carries all the classics with it.
Customers praise creations inwon. "I've never had a bad donut from them," says one. Also, many people say Pinkbox has the best donuts they've ever tried.
8
Shipley's donuts
If you haven't heard ofShipley's donuts, then you probably don't live in Texas, and certainly not in Houston, the home of the amazing73 Shipley Do-Nuts locations. There are a total of 367 locations and almost all of them are in the South, although the chain has some presence in Maryland and Colorado.
At the Shipley Do-Nuts location, you can enjoylots of great classic donuts, pies and donut holes, not to mention good coffee. The chain claims to have 60 varieties of donuts. It even has tasty buns, i.e. sausages wrapped in dough. If you arrive on June 2, you can enjoy a free frosted donut with every purchase.
Their catering services are also popular. Shipley Do-Nuts can assemble donut and coffee packages with easesuitable for serving parties of 50 or more people.
FAQs
What is the most famous donut shop in us? ›
Dunkin' Donuts is the largest donut chain, with 11,000 stores in 33 countries. Originally named Kettle Donuts, it opened in 1948 and by 1950 adopted the name Dunkin' Donuts as it was sold as franchises. Although not all of "America Runs on Dunkin'", Massachusetts certainly does.
Who is bigger Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme? ›Dunkin' Donuts has 11,000 stores in 33 different countries whereas Krispy Kreme has 884 doughnut shops in 39 states in 23 unique nations. Dunkin Donuts is a lot more commonly found and has a bigger chain compared to Krispy Kreme.
What is the oldest donut chain? ›In 1931, Levitt opened the first Mayflower Donuts shop in Times Square. Then, additional Mayflower Donut shops opened in cities across the United States, making it the first doughnut shop chain in the United States.
What is the #1 donut in America? ›Hostess® Donettes®, America's #1 Donut, Stage Takeover of National Donut… er, Donettes® Day.
Who is the number 1 donut consumer? ›Did you know Canada is the #1 donut consumer in the world? We must really love our donuts because there are only 30-million people in Canada, but we eat 1-billion donuts annually.
What is the most expensive donut in the US? ›Golden Cristal Ube Donut
Hop a plane to New York. Surely your mama's Brooklyn would have something to say about this over-the-top creation from Williamsburg's Manila Social Club: A $100 doughnut—gilded, of course—and stuffed with Cristal jelly.
Hanson Gregory, an American, claimed to have invented the ring-shaped doughnut in 1847 aboard a lime-trading ship when he was 16 years old. Gregory was dissatisfied with the greasiness of doughnuts twisted into various shapes and with the raw center of regular doughnuts.
What is the most expensive doughnut? ›The world's most expensive donut is crowned by a gold-plated fleur de chocolat in the shape of a cattleya orchid - and the corresponding engagement ring. "There are no upper limits, the customer can of course also express wishes about the ring, such as whether the diamond should have more carats.
Who is the rival of Krispy Kreme? ›Krispy Kreme competitors include Starbucks, Raising Cane's, McDonald's, Dunkin' and Sonic Drive-In. Krispy Kreme ranks 3rd in Product Quality Score on Comparably vs its competitors.
Is Starbucks or Dunkin better? ›Starbucks has also built a more premium brand, has stores that look more like a comfortable coffee house, has a more extensive menu, and greater product customization. Dunkin' stores resemble more traditional fast-food eateries and they offer more competitive pricing relative to Starbucks.
What is the biggest donut brand in the world? ›
| Headquarters: | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
|---|---|
| Establishment: | 1937 |
| Website: | http://www.krispykreme.com |
Per capita, Canadians eat the most doughnuts compared to all world countries. The large number of Tim Hortons restaurants in Canada (over 4,600) significantly contributes to this consumption rate.
What was the first donut flavor? ›Fast-forward to the mid-19th century and Elizabeth Gregory, a New England ship captain's mother who made a wicked deep-fried dough that cleverly used her son's spice cargo of nutmeg and cinnamon, along with lemon rind.
Why donut boxes are pink? ›According to the Los Angeles Times, it was shops run by Cambodian refugees in Los Angeles in the 1970s that popularized the usage of pink boxes. The shop owners decided to use pink boxes over more expensive white boxes in order to avoid skimping on ingredients.
What is the forbidden donut? ›Forbidden Doughnuts
(aka Iced Pumpkin Cake Donuts, inspired by King Arthur Flour) Makes 12 to 18, depending on the size of your donut pans. 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree. 1 cup sugar. 3 eggs.
Don't let its reputation for kale salads and acai bowls fool you—Los Angeles is the hole-ly grail for donut devotees. Almost 1,500 independent donut shops dish out these deep-fried delights, which means there are more opportunities for a sugar high here than anywhere else in the country.
What is 13 doughnuts called? ›If you're ordering from a bakery and request a baker's dozen of a certain item, you'll get 13 scones, dinner rolls, doughnuts, whatever.
What is the most unhealthy donut in the world? ›The cream filling is usually a custard or other creamy filling mostly made from whole milk and sugar. A Boston cream doughnut contains approximately 400 calories and 16 grams of fat. Over half of the fat in the Boston creme doughnut is from saturated fat. Apple fritters are among the unhealthiest doughnuts.
What was the first donut brand? ›Dunkin' Donuts, which was so-named in 1950, following its 1948 founding under the name Open Kettle (Quincy, Massachusetts), is the oldest surviving company to use the donut variation; other chains, such as the defunct Mayflower Doughnut Corporation (1931), did not use that spelling.
What is a millionaire donut? ›An indulgent iced caramel donut with gooey caramel filling, topped with biscuit pieces and a dark cocoa drizzle.
What US city is known for donuts? ›
Here's how Los Angeles became the donut capital of the U.S.
What is the doughnut capital of the United States? ›In 2019, CNN and National Geographic both declared Los Angeles the doughnut capital of America.
Is hostess America's #1 donut? ›America's No. 1 donut! (Based on independent national retail sales data). Hostess Quality Commitment: At Hostess we care deeply about our customers and are committed to providing you with quality bakery products.
What is the official donut of the United States? ›...
Boston cream doughnut.
| Alternative names | Boston cream pie doughnut Boston cream pie donut |
|---|---|
| Type | Doughnut |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | New England |
| Main ingredients | Dough, chocolate icing, custard |