The Hawaiian Donut Taking Over Loveland

Everyone knows Krispy Kreme. But there's a new donut in Northern Colorado, and it's nothing like the shelf-fresh kind you're used to. In this episode, we sit down with the owner of the Hawaiian Donut Company (partnered with Hawaii's Manuel's Malasadas) to talk about how a chance stop at a roadside food truck on the Big Island turned into a made-to-order malasada business in Loveland, Colorado. We dig into what makes a malasada different from a traditional donut, how the owner earned the right to represent a 100-year-old family recipe, and how a five-second grand opening video led to local news coverage and sold-out weekends within their first month.What You'll Learn:What a malasada is and how it differs from a traditional doughnutWhy the recipe is intentionally less sweet — and how it's still used in savory dishes like pulled pork slidersThe story behind partnering with Hawaii's Manuel's Malasadas, including the vetting process and the "ohana" mentality behind itHow the business used social media and local press to grow fast in its first monthWhat's next for the business, including gluten-free options and a possible Kona coffee partnershipChapters:Introducing the Hawaiian Donut CompanyWhat Makes a Malasada Different From a DonutThe Backstory: Finding Manuel's Malasadas in HawaiiEarning the Recipe: The Ohana Vetting ProcessThe Setup: Truck, Patio, and Lake Loveland ViewsGrowth: Local News, Social Media, and Word of MouthWhat to Expect When You OrderOrdering Ahead: Website, Call, and TextGluten-Free and Ingredient QuestionsWhat's Next: Coffee, Flavors, and Future PlansResources Mentioned:Manuel's Malasadas (original Hawaii-based brand, Kona side of the Big Island)BizWest (local business publication that first covered the story)The Loveland Reporter-Herald (local newspaper)9News (local news station)Contact & Links Mentioned: The guest noted the business can be found by searching "Hawaiian Donut Company" on Google, Yelp, Apple Maps, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.If you enjoyed this episode, hit like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to know Hawaiian donuts have landed in the mainland. #HawaiianDonutCompany #SmallBusinessSpotlight #NorthernColoradoEats