The large franchise, Parlor’s Doughnuts, opened their first shop in Orange County, bringing sweets and a unique type of doughnut to the community.
Located in the Aliso Village shopping center, Parlor Doughnuts is branded primarily as a coffee and doughnut store, selling breakfast.
This location is owned and operated by Doug Jolley; a former teacher who sought to change career paths and open a franchise store.
After exploring a bit, Jolley fell in love with Parlor Doughnut’s unique sweets and decided to work with them.
“I’d been teaching for the last ten years, but as my kids got older I wanted to do something other than teaching,” says Jolley during a phone interview.
Parlor Doughnuts are known for their cozy interior, good coffee and most notably, their flaky layered doughnuts.
Unlike other typical doughnuts that are made using yeast, with a cake-like texture, Parlor Doughnuts have a distinctive texture and flavor that contrast others. Their doughnuts’ are made with buttery layers that expand and become flaky, causing them to have a slight crunch on the outside while still keeping the interior soft and gentle. It is sometimes described as a hybrid between a doughnut and croissant.
Many flavors of doughnuts are provided with unique toppings such as maple bacon, french toast, strawberry shortcake and many more. There are also some plain ones for those looking to just eat a classic flaked doughnut too. The store also provides special versions of doughnuts such as vegan, keto friendly and even dog treats, in order to expand to a wider audience.
Although they are known for coffee and doughnuts, they also serve a plethora of menu options especially in the realm of breakfast food and drinks. Things like avocado toasts, acai bowls, breakfast tacos, matcha lattes, chai, etc are all food items that can be found at the parlor.
Parlor Doughnuts first started as a coffee shop called Proper Coffee in Indiana when Darrick Hayden and his son, Noah Hayden, brought their passion for coffee and doughnuts together in the hopes of creating a cozy breakfast store for people to gather and socialize. As the store became bigger and more known in 2019, Hayden, in collaboration with Josh Tudela, started Parlor Doughnuts.
Within a couple of years, the small and niche café has been able to grow extensively, and is now a popular franchise that can be seen around the United States of America with more than 50 stores in 14 different states.
The store is also popular amongst the students of Aliso Niguel, as it is now a common hang out spot between close friend groups.
Ulyana Tsetsulnikova (11) has already gone to the store twice with a group of friends and is already a big fan of the parlor and its unique doughnut flavors.
“If you are looking for a place to study and get your assignments done, it’s not the best environment because it’s usually really crowded [since] it’s a popular spot in town.” says Ulyana, “However, if you are stopping by to get doughnuts with your friends for a casual hangout, then it’s a great spot to socialize.”
The only minor inconvenience at the store is that it is very crowded, causing a longer wait for the doughnuts. The parlor continues to gain popularity in OC as it continues its business.
