DS10 has decided if he doesn't end up with a career in law enforcement, he'd like to run a donut shop. He's begun his market research. First field study, the big chain, Dunkin Donuts. Jared brought his notebook, and we were hoping to sit down and take notes. Unfortunately, the joint was packed. No seats were to be found, we'd have to try carry out style.
Jared picked half a dozen for us to sample, and I grabbed a cup of Joe for the road. He decided the product was passable, but over priced. He's had grocery store donuts that tasted better. He did note how crowded the place was and determined having a brand name helps bring in customers, even if your product is not perfect.
Our next field study will be the opposite of Dunkin, a small, home town, ethnically rich bakery, Fosdals in Stoughton, WI. Maybe if its not too crowded, Jared will feel comfortable surveying the customers.
He's been creating plans for his own style of donuts. One of which, is square, covered in green icing with white on the corners. Its his baseball diamond donut. He's begun a portfolio of his different donut designs drawn in colored pencil. (I should figure out how to get my scanner working so you could see!)
As soon as the weather is warm enough, we are planning a donut fry up with our home school posse. (We thought using our fryers outside wouldn't make our homes smelly.) Each family is going to bring a different dough recipe. I noticed Giada has an Italian donut recipe that looks easy. We'll also have to consider whether to try cake or raised.
Jared's also decided he'll go with the D-O-N-U-T spelling rather than D-O-U-G-H-N-U-T. I wonder if this is a regional thing. My first reaction is to use the shortened spelling, but then the purist in me wants to spell it properly. Of course with today's text society, short and sweet fits the bill.
5 comments:
I like the short and sweet name too. :) Donut places do tend to be overpriced. Small mom and pop shops have to make money and the brand name folks can do it because the name, as you said, gets folks in there. I was going to make donuts from scratch at Xmas, but opted for the easy, refrigerated biscuit dough again. lol Please do share all of your donut recipes! I might get brave and try 'em out. :)
All this talk about donuts is making me hungry for one, I haven't had one in a long time. I remember Dunkin Donuts when we lived in IL, but havent had one of theirs for about 8yrs. I was never crazy about their donuts but did like their blueberry muffins
Making homemade donuts do sound good. I like the idea of frying out side, my mom had a friend who had a summer kitchen in her garage and that where she did all her frying. Never liked the oily smell in the house. She use to cook lots of donuts, I will have to see if I can find her recipe
I've never made donuts but I sure love to eat them. Haven't had any for a while. Now I want one. lol I like the shorter spelling too. ;)
My Joe is quick to tell people that the number one food group (as far as he is concerned) is donuts! I'm sure he would be happy to participate in any market testing!! LOL
I am going to look through some of the stuff we had when we went to Ann Arbor for some training. There may be some same surveys and things that will give your son some ideas. If I can find the stuff, I will share the information with you. This is such and awesome project that he has chosen and what a smartie he is! Recognizing the importance of branding is HUGE! :-D
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