CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Nothing says breakfast in America like donuts and coffee. Asian immigrant descendant Ryan Hui has realized the American dream by building a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise from the ground up.

Since his March opening, 300 cars have driven to his Manzanita Avenue window every day. With scores of walk-ups added, San Francisco-raised Hui is seeing success in the burbs.

“I chose Carmichael for its high-density population,” explains the 31-year-old. “I regard everyone here as a potential customer.”

To those who say donuts are not exactly healthy food, Hui suggests they order something else. His chain has come a long way from the original post-WW II hangout in Massachusetts. Ditching the “Donut” in 2018, the corporation’s 12,000 hubs are now “Dunkin” franchises. Ring-shaped treats are still a deep-fried staple (more than 3 billion donuts are bagged per year) but menus are trendified with specialty coffees, croissant sandwiches and bagels stuffed with bacon and eggs.

“We’re now beverage-driven, with many custom coffee varieties,” Hui explains. He’s surprised by the number of Carmichaelites who idle up for regular coffee at breakfast and return later for caramel lattes. “I’m always here,” he notes. “I see familiar faces. I have more regulars than I can count.”

Hui and his 22 young workers are of the app-happy generation.

“Our app streamlines ordering,” the boss explains. “You can punch in choices and arrange a pickup time. You park and collect stuff from our walk-up window. You’re out in seconds. This saves time and gas waiting in drive thru. We’re also partnering with delivery apps like DoorDash.”

Apps aside, hunger rules. Last Saturday saw drive-thrus in line from his window to beyond Manzanita Oaks Center entrance.

Years in San Francisco restaurants inspired Hui’s quick-service ambition. But the dream was a slow cooker. With family backing, he signed his property lease in 2019 and began construction more than two years ago. 

“COVID didn’t help,” he says. “And the county sure had its say. Let’s just say red tape was plentiful. Before we opened, I worked an 18-hour day here. To save driving time, I’d grab a few hours rest in my car then start work again. I’ve been impressed by Carmichael Improvement District security. I was sleeping at 4 A.M. and a patrol guy banged at my window. I said, ‘It’s okay, I’m the owner.’ 

“Any first-time business owner has growing pains. You spend more time at work than at home. People might see big-brand names and assume you’re not a small concern. I’m the owner who slept in a car. Like many operators, I’ll owe the bank for a long time.”

Chamber of Commerce member Hui values main-street aesthetics.

“Because we sell coffee, some neighbors feared people might loiter and litter. I’m from San Francisco – I understand vagrancy. I have staff here 18 hours a day. We keep things moving. We’re vigilant in keeping our space safe and comfortable for guests. Someone from my team walks the landscape first thing every day, picking up what’s been blown in or dropped. Quick service can generate trash. We won’t be part of that problem.”

Dunkin’ is located at 4131 Manzanita Avenue, Carmichael.