'Not like any other doughnuts': After delays, new Peoria shop finally comes together
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The wait for Tadoughs doughnuts in Peoria has finally come to an end.
After months of anticipation, the Peoria location offered a “limited selection” of menu items on Dec. 12 before officially opening on Wednesday. Owner Rick Butler said the business – situated at 7024 N. University St. – saw “incredible” turnout and doughnuts “go as quick as we can make them.”
“I can’t tell you how many people came and then today was even more incredible,” he said. “We want to thank all of our customers for their patience while we get going.”
While the business faced various delays and challenges ahead of opening, Butler said the shop is now open from 5 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. This new storefront, Butler added, is only the beginning of Tadoughs’ growth and expansion.
Creating a ‘destination location’ in Peoria
Previously home to HairCandy Salon and Spa, Butler said the Peoria space required a good deal of renovations.
He said the unit needed to install drainpipes and an exhaust system for its kitchen – which is roughly four times the size of the one found in Pekin. Along with this, Butler said the business had to fireproof its ceiling to meet city codes. He said this caused “a big delay” in the timeline for opening.
“It’s been an interesting experience – developing a space that wasn't a restaurant before,” Butler said.
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Renovating the unit wasn’t the only challenge Butler has faced, though. Butler said he is still searching for four or five employees for the kitchen and front of house.
“The hardest thing we've encountered is getting help,” Butler said. “So, we're still not fully staffed.”
Butler said the business would open regardless of staffing. However, he added that the shop will be closed on Sundays until additional staff members are found.
Walking in, customers will find a sleek storefront with bright orange accents, seating and a conference room. Framed potato bags decorate the wall near the dining area and a giant model doughnut with brown frosting and vivid orange sprinkles sits next to the storefront windows.
Butler described the new shop as “more of a destination location to come in and have coffee, sit and do your work - just like a regular coffee shop.” Along with this, he said the doughnut sculpture, created by local artist Connie Andrews, will offer a social media opportunity for customers. Visitors can get their photos taken while sitting inside of the doughnut’s center.
“It's so detailed. I love it,” said Jackie Walden, a manager at the shop. “I'm excited to see (photos) start getting posted.”
Butler said he is grateful for customers’ “patience as we get going.” He said the shop got a later start to making doughnuts for Dec. 13 after a carbon dioxide leak was discovered in two of the building’s furnaces. Along with this, he said the business is continuing its search for additional staff members.
To start out, the Peoria location will not offer online ordering.
“We want a soft opening so we can get everything and all the processes in place,” he said. “And make sure we meet everyone's expectations for service.”
‘Not like any other doughnuts’
The original business, located in Pekin, operated as Spudnut Donuts since the 1960s, according to Tadoughs’ website. When Butler and his daughter, Jacqueline, purchased the shop and its improved doughnut recipe in 2021, they rebranded to Tadoughs.
The business’s staple item is its potato-based doughnuts, and the online menu features a variety of “Original Spudnuts,” including:
Old fashioned
Long Johns
Twists
Glazed bowties
Bavarian cream filled
Customers can also find special menu items, such as cinnamon rolls and apple fritters.
“They're not like any other doughnut. You know what I mean?” Walden said. “There's nothing that can compare to them, and the size of all of ours are, you know, they're just huge.”
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Aside from the classics, Butler said the Peoria location offers an added focus on coffee. Walden said customers can order cappuccinos, lattes, and other specialty drinks, and Butler said the shop has its own specialty blend.
“That’s blended to go with doughnuts basically,” he said. “So, when they made the blend, Jacqueline went over to CxT and they tried different blends and then they tried them with doughnuts.”
Butler said he also expects to add breakfast sandwiches and other new items to the menu in the future.
Continuing to grow
Though the Peoria shop has only just opened its doors, a third Tadoughs storefront is already on the horizon.
Butler said a franchisee is working to open in Decatur and has already found a location for the business. He said he planned to turn his attention to the newest space once Tadoughs had opened in Peoria.
“The whole build-out has to match what our other stores are,” he said. “So, this one (in Peoria) would be similar to what all franchise stores should look like.”
The Peoria shop will offer more than style inspiration for future Tadoughs locations. Butler said he expects the location to also be a home for training for franchisees. He said Tadoughs is now able to operate franchise locations across the United States.
And though Butler said the business has not advertised its franchising opportunities yet, he said others have also expressed interest in opening Tadoughs locations.
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pekin business brings potato-based doughnuts to Peoria, plans to grow
