Powdered, glazed, sprinkled, or cream-filled, doughnuts hold a magical place in U.S. history. In honor of the delicious breakfast treat, bakeries across the country celebrate National Doughnut Day annually on the first Friday of June, often awarding patrons with a free doughnut as part of the festivities.
The tradition can be traced back to World War I when Salvation Army volunteers offered free doughnuts and coffee to infantry men serving on the front lines in Europe.
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Destin is home to two doughnut shops, The Donut Hole and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and for the sake of this doughnut day special, The Log included Dunkin’ Donuts in Miramar Beach in the canvassed area.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
“We adopted it as soon as it came out,” Krispy Kreme Assistant Manager Tyler Clark said of the holiday. “At this store last year, every customer got a free doughnut.”
Clark added that the average customer count for the Destin location is 700 people per day, but on National Doughnut Day there is always a large influx of people.
“We make more doughnuts than usual just to get ready,” he said. “We are steady all day on National Doughnut Day.”
Clark told The Log that the annual celebration is all about nostalgia for him.
“It brings back memories,” he said. “My dad used to work at Krispy Kreme, and he used to bring back a doughnut every day.” This year Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will be offering one free doughnut per customer throughout the day Friday, and their famous hot doughnuts will be served for extended hours.
“Offering hot doughnuts is our difference,” said Clark. “We make them every morning from scratch.”
Dunkin’ Donuts
“We are expecting to be real busy,” said Kat Nettles, general manager of Dunkin’ Donuts in Miramar Beach. Nettles added that although Dunkin’ Donuts advertises buy a beverage, get a free doughnut on National Doughnut Day, the store in Miramar Beach will allow a free doughnut with any purchase.
When asked what the most ordered doughnuts were, Nettles told The Log, “The most popular would be chocolate frosted, glazed blueberry and our newest doughnut, blueberry cobbler.”
Donut Hole
“This time of year will be busy regardless, but the great thing about breakfast is, it’s not a long dinner meal so the turn over goes really quick so the line goes fast,” said Dana Chandler, owner of The Donut Hole.
Chandler said that for National Doughnut Day, the employees chose the time for free doughnuts, and this year the magical hour is from 3-4 p.m. at all three locations, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach and Inlet Beach. She added that during the free doughnut hour customers can choose a doughnut of their choice, but that they must be present to receive the doughy goodness.
“We’d love to have everybody come to celebrate doughnut day, not just for breakfast… it’s a good snack for any time of day,” she said.
Chandler told The Log that what sets The Donut Hole apart from their competitors is their handpicked, ingredients.
“We are unique because we are family owned and operated. We buy the freshest ingredients, since we are not a chain we have direct control over the quality of our product and its ingredients. Everything is fresh everyday, all our breads, pies, doughnuts and cakes are prepared onsite,” she said.
As for her favorite doughnut, Chandler said her pick is Bavarian.
“Custard on the inside and the powdered sugar on the outside…” she said.