Our first donut chain

[Rallygirl]

Big news for our small town. I have mentioned before that around here, all donuts come from small local bakeries. There are no Dunkin' Donuts, no Krispy Kremes and no Tim Hortons. In fact, I have yet to personally encounter any of these places.

That may be changing as Tim Hortons has applied for all the permits needed to come into town with a 24 hour shop. However, since we are a small lakeside resort town, the city counsel doesn't always look fondly upon new national chains coming in. But Tim Hortons has picked a spot along the highway right amid the other chain restaurants.

I just don't know what to think. Part of me is very excited about 24/7 donuts (I know, what a sad, little life I lead), but after a lifetime of small, independent bakeries, I don't know if Tim Hortons can live up to our town's expectations.

[Sideshow Spock]

Mmmm.. donuts...

[megocrazy]

Been drinking Dunkin Donuts coffee since I was like 6. There is no other IMO. My uncles been in the chain since the early 70's, just so everyone didn't think I was hanging out in coffee shops before heading off to elementary school at 6 years old. I will be bringing some to Wheeling in June because they have no idea what coffee is. Sanitation workers see better tasting dark liquids than the coffee in Wheeling.

The nearest Dunkin was like an hour away from the hotel. How do they survive? Why don't they move to where the Dunkin's are? I haven't figured it out but I'll be selling DD coffee in the lobby of the hotel this year for $15 a cup. I'm sure I'll get a couple of takers by Saturday morning.

[palitoy]

Heh, believe or not but there is likely a Museum member behind that new Timmies.

Tims is more known for their coffee here (where it rules with an iron fist) but their donuts are pretty popular.

[z3zep]

The donuts at the donut chains are not as good a the little mom/pop bakeries. The coffee however is really good.

[The Toyroom]

I grew up on Dan-Dee Donuts....they were HUGE in Central/Upstate NY in the 60s-70s.
Now we have Dunkin Dounts and a local guy has started his own rival chain called Dippin Donuts. Wherever there is a Dunkin, a Dippin is usually next door or just down the road.

[jwyblejr]

^My sister worked at the Dan-Dee Donuts that use to be in Sangertown. So I know what you mean.

[The Toyroom]

^My sister worked at the Dan-Dee Donuts that use to be in Sangertown. So I know what you mean.

My dad worked for Dan-Dee for about 40 years...ended up being a terrible company to work for once one of the sons took over. Of course much of it was my father's fault but he definitely got the shaft after all those years of service.

It was once a booming franchise that had many stores, including some ownership in some area KFCs. By the end though the Dan-Dee name was phased out of existence and the only store left (in Herkimer) now goes by the name Baker's Dozen.

The one in Sangertown wasn't around very long...I think it was there when the mall opened but eventually that spot became Reader's Island. Now it's a Lids...

[TheDoLittle]

We had a Dunkin' Donuts, but Shipley's was always closer and cheaper. I never had a Krispy Kreme until the 90's.

[megocrazy]

Dunkin's donuts are nothing special. Far from the best. It wasn't always that way but the coffee is what people go there for. Tim's made a charge to our area years ago when they bought the small Bess Eaton chain and converted them. DD has a pretty strong foothold in the northeast and it's migrating to Florida now. Must be all the New England transplants. They must all fly down because you don't start seeing them in numbers until you hit Orlando, and had no problem finding one in Tampa either. Wish they would put some along 95, so the drive would be better. Krispy Kreme's were a complete failure up here. They're owned by the same guy that owns the majority of the Burger King's up here. Neither of them impress me greatly.

[SeattleEd]

Sounds like good news for doughnut fans.
Around these parts doughnuts aren't as popular as cupcakes. There are so many indie cupcakes makers competing for best in town. Even weddings cakes are being replaced with gourmet cupcakes.
The only doughnuts that are popular here are a local company called TopPot that have overtaken Krispy Kreme. There are a few indie doughnut shops around town including a Winchell's but no Dunkin' Donuts.
However, when in Portland, I recommend Voodoo Doughnuts. The maple bacon bar is to die for while the voodoo doll is cute for the kids. And if you so desire you can get married there as well.
The lines outside the downtown one are ridiculous.

[jacoblb]

I've a native to Arizona and when I was kid I remember Dunkin Donuts used to be rather prominate in our town. So many have closed up that their buildings have turned into cash-loan places or other fast food joints. I think my city has only 3 DD in all. Only a few locations managed to become a mom/pop donut shop, which are called Donut Wheel. I haven't the pleasure to try donuts brands besides Donut Wheel, home made or grocery store ones, Dunkin Donuts, or Krispy Kreme really. I'd love to see another chain open up. Krispy Kreme hasn't been in Tucson for that long. They opened up with great fanfare and then the new buildings that got built where you could see the donuts being made closed down because KK corp over extended themselves. KK has since come back, but they don't make donuts here, they deliever the donuts from Phoenix.

[jessica]

After 10 years of Friday donuts at the slavemines, donuts are not anything I crave.

[ScottA]

Toms - never heard of it.
Dunkin Donuts - came here once and lasted less than a year. Might have been a location issue.
Krispy Kreme - rules here. We have a store where they are made fresh daily and delivered around town.
Mom & Pops - all gone. The only one I really remember was Prices Donuts from when I was a kid. Loved it because you could buy donut holes there. Yum.

[Sideshow Spock]

My brother in law used to work an overnight shift for the DPW, and he claimed the donut deliveries for Dunkin Donuts arrived from a nearby city via a van/truck the interior of which he described as filthy. He hasn't had a donut there since.