Six years ago, Paola Sánchez began confectioning doughnuts in her native Venezuela. After spending some time in Orlando, Fl. she moved to San Juan five months ago and opened Donut Factory at 705 Andalucía Ave. in San Juan.
The crisp, yet tender, glazed exteriors quickly won over the customers and, just a month ago, Sánchez opened her second shop at the Bayamon’s Farmer’s Market.
What makes these doughnuts different from those sold by big chains? Usually doughnuts don’t keep well so Sánchez starts production every day before dawn to ensure that the products are fresh. Many flavors sell out early, so it’s good idea to call and ask for available flavors.
“My sister and I took classes on how to make doughnuts. The process takes three hours. I open Monday to Saturday at 6 a.m. We sell at least 150 doughnuts every day,” explained Sánchez.
Besides the sweet doughnuts, the 32-year-old entrepreneur introduced the “Donwich”, which features your choice of ham, cheese and a fried egg sandwiched between two doughnuts; and the “Pizzatory”, an unsweetened doughnut topped just like a pizza, with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and other toppings.
Although the most popular doughnut is one filled with guava and cheese, Donut Factory has 12 different fillings and non-traditional toppings like bacon and maple syrup. (Josian E. Bruno Gomez / EL VOCERO)
“A doughnut hamburger is in the making,” added Sánchez with a smile.
Although the most popular doughnut is one filled with guava and cheese, Donut Factory has 12 different fillings and non-traditional toppings like bacon and maple syrup. Donut Factory also sells mini doughnuts and doughnut holes, the miniature versions that don’t make you feel guilty.
Donut Factory can also cater events with “made-to-order” doughnuts in an array of different flavors, fillings, toppings and sizes.
Americans eat more than 10 billion doughnuts a year, and the U.S. doughnuts industry brings in an estimated $3.6 billion annually, according to a report from IBIS World.
Sánchez enjoys making doughnuts and having her own business brings her joy. When asked about the permit process, Sánchez commented that she hired someone to navigate the waters for her and that the process was normal and fast. After opening her first shop, she started the process for the second.
(Josian E. Bruno Gomez / EL VOCERO)
THE WEEKLY JOURNAL went on to ask if she recommends investing in Puerto Rico and the entrepreneur quickly answered with a “yes”. Sánchez’s initial investment was of $65,000 and, to date, she has managed both locations succesfully. As a matter of fact, Donut Factory plans to soon open its third shop at San Patricio Mall in an effort to continue spreading the love for one of America’s favorite desserts.
Donut Factory opens Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located at 705 Andalucía Ave. in San Juan and at the Bayamon’s Farmer’s Market on Ramón Luis Rivera Ave. For more information, please call (787) 998-0171.
