Main Line husband-wife team to expand Las Vegas tiny doughnut concept

Source, Philadelphia Business Journal, Kenneth Hilario

With one foot already in the door, a Main Line husband-wife team plans to expand a Las Vegas brand known for its tiny doughnuts in the Philadelphia market.

Local entrepreneurs Janet Malin and Josh Morey opened a 150-square-foot location of Las Vegas and Jacksonville, Fla.-based The Dapper Doughnut at the Plymouth Meeting Mall.

Retail executive Malin has worked at Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters since 2008. She was previously at Saks.

The Berwyn, Pa.-based husband-wife team have plans to expand in the Philadelphia area, specifically targeting King of Prussia.

A second location will open at the King of Prussia Mall sometime this year, but Malin and Morey have plans to expand and will look for real estate in the coming months.

The Dapper Doughnut is operated by Chicago Doughnut Franchise Co., which in 2016 launched an aggressive national and international single- and multi-unit owner franchise program that led to the ones slated for Greater Philadelphia.

One corporate location is in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and 18 franchises are in 15 states, with 23 franchises in development. The company plans to have 75 units by the end of 2018.

A number of companies offer or specialize in doughnuts in the region: Philadelphia-based Federal Donuts, Beilers Doughnuts at the Reading Terminal Market and Duck Donuts, which originated in the Outer Banks and opened at the King of Prussia Town Center.

But “there is white space in the Philly market for made-to-order mini doughnuts with strong branding,” Malin said.

“The Philly region has a plethora of doughnut options, both large brands and local shops,” Malin told the Philadelphia Business Journal. “There is room for everyone to co-exist, as each can have its place in the market — location, pricing, doughnut type, toppings, branding and customer type.

The size of the doughnuts are suited for catering, delivery and onsite events since the production machines can travel to locations.

The Dapper Doughnut business model includes retail locations, food trucks, kiosks and catering.

Malin and Morey cater and deliver to areas that include Bryn Mawr, Villanova, Wayne, Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia and Devon.