Duck Donuts Opens First Stand-Alone Location in the Philippines.
MANILA, Philippines – Duck Donuts, a popular donut chain from Duck, North Carolina, has opened its first stand-alone branch in the Philippines, located in Poblacion, Makati City. This new store, which opened in June, specializes in freshly fried cake donuts that are made to order for each customer.
The Manila location marks the beginning of Duck Donuts’ ambitious plan to launch 25 stores across the Philippines within the next two years. A second branch is set to open at Ayala Circuit Makati on August 2. Currently, the only other Duck Donuts branch in Asia is located in Bangkok, Thailand, which opened in October of last year.
This Poblacion branch is notable not only for being the first in the Philippines but also for being the largest Duck Donuts store worldwide. To appeal to the local market, the Philippine team collaborated with Bravo Foods Corporation to create a more inviting and Instagram-friendly atmosphere. The store features bright baby pink and blue colors, resembling a candy shop.
Betsy Hamm, CEO of Duck Donuts, expressed confidence that the warmth and uniqueness of the brand will resonate with Filipino customers.
Founded in 2007 by Russ DiGilio, Duck Donuts is well-known for its made-to-order donuts that customers can customize with various toppings and glazes. Unlike other chains, there are no pre-made donuts on display. Duck Donuts specializes in cake donuts, which are denser and heavier compared to the softer yeast donuts commonly offered by other brands.
The cake donuts are made using a mixture of butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and baking powder, resulting in a golden-brown, crisp exterior and a dense interior reminiscent of pound cake. First-time visitors are encouraged to try the Classic donut to experience its simple but delicious flavor.
At the Poblacion branch, customers can enjoy an interactive experience where they can create their own donuts and watch them being made. The store offers a variety of ready-made flavors, organized into themed boxes for easier selection.
Duck Donuts imports its cake batter from the US and follows a special vanilla icing recipe from the same country. The brand plans to introduce exclusive Filipino flavors made with local ingredients in the near future.
For coffee lovers, Duck Donuts Philippines features a special blend made from coffee beans imported from Japan and Singapore. The Iced Latte, priced at P120 for a medium and P140 for a large, is described as milky, smooth, and flavorful. The Oreo Milkshake, priced at P290, offers a rich, ice cream-like experience.
The menu includes a range of donut flavors, with fan favorites like Maple Bacon, French Toast, Strawberry Sugar, Peanut Butter and Jelly, S’mores, Blueberry Pancake, Strawberry Shortcake, Vanilla Confetti, and Sunrise, which features lemon icing and raspberry drizzle. Prices for classic donuts start at P65 each, while glazed or cinnamon donuts cost P75.
Customers can build their own donuts for P85 each, with a box of six priced between P350 and P450, and a dozen ranging from P650 to P850. The donut-making process begins with a plain donut, followed by a choice of coating, such as powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or various icings. Customers can then select toppings like rainbow sprinkles, OREO cookie pieces, or chopped bacon, and finish with a drizzle of hot fudge or salted caramel.
For those looking for something more substantial, Duck Donuts also offers Breakfast Sandwiches for P224. The Bacon, Egg, and Cheese variant is flavorful and filling, making it a good option for sharing.
Duck Donuts operates over 100 branches across the United States and is planning to expand its franchise to Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Australia, and the UK.