Duck Donuts

History and operations

Duck Donuts was founded in 2006 by Russell "Russ" DiGilio and Robin Griffith, both natives of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, who met in 1992 while working in the assisted living industry. DiGilio saw a need for "warm, fresh, made-to-order doughnuts." Prior to Duck Donuts, there were no doughnut shops in North Carolina's Outer Banks. The first shop opened in Duck, North Carolina, from which the chain got its name, followed by a second location in Kitty Hawk.

The third and fourth shops opened in Kill Devil Hills and Corolla, respectively. For half a decade, Duck Donuts was limited to the Outer Banks. After receiving numerous inquiries about franchising, DiGilio established the Duck Donuts Franchising Company; the first franchise location opened in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2013. Thereafter, the franchise expanded to states including Florida, New Jersey, and Georgia.

According to a July 2018 Franchising.com article, there were "69 open franchise locations [and] 140 additional contracts in 23 states and two countries." In May 2018, Duck Donuts opened its first New York location in Hauppauge, and two months later in July 2018, they opened their inaugural West Coast location in Huntington Beach, California. In December 2018, it expanded to Minnesota with a Woodbury location. By June 2020, Duck Donuts opened their first location in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and in September 2020, the company opened its first store in Dubai, UAE, which later closed.

On October 2, 2023, their first location in Thailand opened in Bangkok at Siam Discovery. Expansion to the Philippines was announced on January 24, 2024, with plans for 25 locations; their first operational branch opened near Makati City Hall on June 25, and another at Circuit Makati opened on July 30.

Products

Duck Donuts' menu predominantly comprises doughnuts, sandwiches, coffee, and desserts. The cake doughnuts are made-to-order and customizable, with topping options including chopped bacon and peanuts. The entire doughnut-making process is automated using doughnut makers from Belshaw Adamatic. Among the four kinds of breakfast sandwiches sold by Duck Donuts is the OBX, described as "a sliced doughnut with egg, cheese, sausage or bacon and topped with maple drizzle and chopped bacon." Duck Donuts' dessert selection includes doughnut sundaes made with Breyers ice cream. The company is also known for its seasonal offerings. In 2024, they released their Fall Favorites Dozen, sold from September 4 through December 1, which includes Cinnamon Sugar, S'mores, Bacon in the Sun, French Toast, Coffee Cake, and other offers.