These donuts are not from New York City or any other major city in America. The shop creating these beautiful donuts started on the sandy beaches in the Outer Banks, North Carolina.
Lacked something
The mind behind them is Russ DiGilio from Delaware. He and his family would enjoy their vacations on the beaches in North Carolina, but foodwise, he felt like the Outer Banks was lacking something. Something sweet. There were no fresh donuts available, and so, he decided to create them himself.
He chose the name Duck Donuts simply because of the northern Outer Banks town of Duck, NC. After endless recipe sessions, several months of research and collaboration, Russ and his team opened their very first Duck Donuts shop in the town of Duck in Dare County, NC, in 2007. Since then, a lot of people have grown fond of the donuts from the beach-town.
Expanded quickly
Since its opening, Duck Donuts has become a franchise expanding well into other states and cities. You don't have to live or vacation in the Outer Banks to get these donuts anymore. After receiving several inquiries about franchising, Russ decided to establish the Duck Donuts Franchising Company. The first franchise location was opened in Williamsburg, Virginia. In 2012, there were four stores. Today there are over 100 locations throughout the country.
The thing that makes these donuts so delicious is that they are made on the spot, so you get them warm and fresh. They also have unique, some of them odd, flavors. Among the fan favorites, you'll find Bacon in the Sun, Blueberry Lemonade, and Coconut Island Bliss.
10 billion donuts
You'll find donuts everywhere in the U.S. Even most small towns will have a donut shop. Donuts and America go hand in hand, and there is also a National Doughnut Day which was established back in 1938. This day, honoring donuts, was created by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds during the Great Depression.
Today, over 10 billion donuts are actually made nationwide every single year, and while they are often consumed as an on-the-go breakfast food in the U.S., they are viewed as a dessert in other parts of the world.