BK Donuts, a family-owned mini donut trailer, has become a local favorite at events across the region. The business, operated by Bob and Andrea Krouse, was a long-time dream of Bob’s, one that Andrea has fully supported since the beginning.
“When we first started dating, I was just 16, and we’d go to the Allegany Carnival,” Andrea recalled. “There was this older couple selling mini donuts, and Bob always said he’d want to do that when he retired.”
Though neither Bob nor Andrea has retired yet, they brought their dream to life in January 2021. Launching during the pandemic slowed their initial progress, but the Krouses managed to keep their trailer running. Today, the business is thriving.
A major factor in their success is the wide range of donut flavors they offer. With over 25 flavors available at any time, they’re constantly experimenting with new ideas.
“Andrea is really the creative one when it comes to flavors,” Bob said.
“Some of our flavors are seasonal, so they come and go,” Andrea added.
Among the many options, Andrea’s favorite is Bavarian cream and chocolate, while Bob prefers the Reese’s Cups variety.
“Reese’s Cups are definitely one of our most popular flavors,” Andrea said. “Strawberry cheesecake is another big hit.”
Recently, they introduced two fall flavors: caramel latte and pumpkin spice.
“Every fall, we bring back pumpkin spice because our customers look forward to it all year,” Andrea noted.
BK Donuts mainly operates on weekends, fitting into the Krouses’ busy schedules.
“We typically take the trailer out on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer,” Bob explained.
The donuts are made on a conveyor belt machine that can produce up to 1,200 donuts per hour. They sell by weight, with customers receiving around 14 to 16 donuts per order. On a typical day, the Krouses sell 100 to 200 servings.
The donut trailer travels to various locations, including Salamanca, New York, and Kane, Pennsylvania. This year, BK Donuts has been a regular at the Bradford Farmer’s Market and Craft Fair. Fans can follow their schedule on the BK Donuts Facebook page or website, BKdonuts.com.
“Our schedule depends on the week since we have a daughter heavily involved in sports,” Andrea shared.
The Krouses, parents of two and grandparents to a 1-year-old boy, run the donut business as a family operation.
“When we have bigger events, I call on my brother and sister to help,” Andrea said.
Bob added, “Our grandson just turned one, and he’s got the most important job—taste-testing all the flavors.”