You are strolling leisurely through Nove Mesto when suddenly something catches your attention. It is a sweet smell, which makes you stop for a moment.
That’s when you come face to face with the window of this cozy shop, illuminated by lamps that radiate natural light and allow you to see the source of that smell.
With pastel-colored walls decorated with roses, -reminiscent of doughnuts- and a large sign that reads: La Donuteria.
You open the door and the first thing you see is the counter full of the most amazing donuts you could have ever imagined. Behind it, Stanislav’s smile, one of the two owners. He greets you and asks for your order. But you’re still taking in the options in front of you: blueberry-filled, glazed, peanut butter, chocolate sprinkled donuts, even salty ones and lots of vegan options.
● Who can we thank for bringing us La Donuteria to Prague?
The franchise is originally from Slovakia. The owner and CEO of the whole franchise, Peter Straňák, who used to be an investment banker in US and London, one day stumbled upon a shop of donuts when he was at work in the US.
There were like 50 people there. While he was wondering why so many people were coming to the place, he saw his future right ahead: doughnuts. He tried it and he loved it.
Then, he found out in 2015 that there was a whole market around doughnuts that was not developed in the Czech Republic or Slovakia. So he started a coffee and doughnuts shop called “La Donuteria” and decided to make a franchise out of it thanks to the success of the first shop.
● What is the key to a great donut?
The key is freshness. To make it fresh every single day. No frozen or pre-cooked stuff, only fresh ingredients. We don’t even have a freezer in our shops, we have a supplier for our doughnut mix. Then, we prepare a dough out of that special donut mix and fry the donuts.
The recipe is secret. When you taste the freshly-made donuts you can tell the difference -the quality of the dough can’t be found elsewhere. Is fluffy, soft, and tasty.
● Stanislav, what’s basically your story with “La Donuteria”?
It is a nice story. I’m a sommelier, while my colleague and second owner Lucas is a… big wine-lover, too! Our goal was to open our own wine bar, but the Covid-19 came so we had to change our plans.
People don’t want to drink wine from a plastic glass or have it taken away, so we had to change the business view. Then, I and my colleague came across “La Donuteria”, we tried the donuts, we found out that they were selling franchise licenses, took one, and here we are.
● What is the relationship between “La Donuteria” and the clients?
The market here is different from the one in Slovakia, because here the competition is bigger and higher. Now, thanks to social media, people are more aware of the brand, and many of them became regular clients. A huge amount of customers are returning ones. Is great to see that the product is becoming more and more popular.
● We can enjoy your doughnuts in so many places…
Actually, we are in 18 different countries of the European Union, and the Middle East: Denmark, Lithuania, Dubai, Austria, Hungary… There are almost 60 shops open already, and more of them are on their way. In the Czech Republic, we have another one in Brno, two shops in Prague -Spalena and Vinohradská-, in Ostrava, and Olomouc. Pardubice in April, Hradec Kralove in May, and many more in CR.
● You’ve made it clear that everyone likes donuts. But there’s always the one who prefers salty over sweet…
And here we are! We are starting offering salty breakfast donuts with bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Or with omelette and sugar icing on the top. People love them because not everyone can be a sweet lover.
● Are you planning on bringing some traditional Czech or Slovakian recipes to “La Donuteria”?
That’s pretty hard, to be honest. However, we are trying to make some local special ones. In addition, we are also bringing the Raffaello donut. The cream is made of malibu, coconut rum and is very delicious. We make it with high-quality Belgian chocolate, and sprinkle it with roasted coconut flakes.
● What is your main ambition right now?
We want to work in awareness of the brand and make people automatically think of La Donuteria when they crave a donut! They can come here and relax in the great atmosphere, talk with us, and enjoy a “cheat” moment tasting the best donuts in Prague…
