Winchell's Donuts is an international doughnut company founded by Verne Winchell on October 8, 1948, in Temple City, California. As of 2006, there are over 170 stores in 12 western states, as well as Guam, Saipan, and Saudi Arabia. It is headquartered in City of Industry, California.
The chain's slogan is "Home of the Warm 'n Fresh Donut™," and it claims to be the West Coast's largest doughnut chain. It also offers its customers a 14-doughnut dozen, as opposed to the standard baker's dozen of 13. Winchell's offers over 70 varieties of doughnuts, including raised doughnuts, cake doughnuts, buttermilk doughnuts, twists, and jelly doughnuts. Other baked products offered include croissants, cinnamon rolls, bagels, muffins, and scones. No animal fat is used either as an ingredient or for cooking their fried dough products. A large beverage selection is also offered at each location, which includes a house blend of coffee made from dark roasted Arabica beans. Hot and frozen cappuccinos, orange and apple juice, milk, tea, and soda are also available. In 2004, Winchell's was purchased by Yum-Yum Donuts, a company which operates 70 donut shops under its own name, but continues to operate Winchell's shops under their historic name.
Winchell's in popular culture
Rapper Ice Cube mentions Winchell's Donuts in his song, Down for Whatever. A Winchell's Donut shop is seen in the background of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home shortly after the crew of the late Enterprise arrived in 20th-century San Francisco. Winchell's is mentioned in the liner notes for Green Day's album, Dookie. In the HBO series John From Cincinnati, Ed O'Neill's character Bill offers Freddie a box of Winchell's Variety Dozen as a form of peace offering.
