Spudnuts (Apr, 1952)
Source: Mechanix Illustrated ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Apr, 1952
| Buy on Ebay
What a great name. I’d never heard of Spudnuts before reading this but now I’m curious to try them. They seem to still be around.
|
Their Potatoes Make Dough
Don’t say doughnuts to the Pelton brothers, say Spudnuts. They glamorized the lowly spud and made themselves a fortune in the process.
By H. W. Kellick
AL and Bob Pelton were suckers for sinkers—doughnuts, that is. They’d eaten glazed doughnuts, chocolate covered doughnuts and just plain doughnuts. They were also eager to make lots of money and doughnuts got them to thinking.
“Why can’t we invent a new kind of doughnut?” Al said one day over a cup of coffee and a doughnut. Just like that.
Today, the brothers Pelton never mention the word doughnut. Say Spudnut and you’ll draw a smile from them, though. For they’re out to supplant the common doughnut with their million-dollar idea—a delicious potato pastry.
As a matter of fact, the Peltons are now selling more than three-quarters of a million dozen Spudnuts per month. To date they’ve franchised 350 shops throughout the United States, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii.
When the brothers hit on the Spudnut idea, they spent endless hours planning on how to get started. If they could introduce their product they felt that they could certainly earn more money than they were getting at their respective jobs as electrical-appliance salesman and drugstore clerk.Between them they had $75 in cash. That was enough to rent a tiny store. There, they started to work out their formula—dough tastefully flavored with potato water. The idea failed. They thought for awhile that they were washed up and their big dream shattered.
Undaunted, they continued to experiment. This time they tried mashed-potato doughnuts. After making a batch, they passed out a few samples among friends. The golden brown potato doughnuts looked attractive and the folks liked the taste of this product. Even the smell was wonderful. Everyone, who sampled the doughnuts liked them.
Satisfied with their invention, the Peltons held a minor celebration. They staged a little party and in an informal ceremony they christened their product Spudnut.
Handicapped by lack of money, the boys at first worked without modern equipment. Like Army KP’s they peeled and mashed thousands of potatoes by hand until they saw potatoes in their sleep.
Slowly, they introduced their brainchild to the local public. The customers gobbled them up and came back for repeat orders. Soon the brothers had saved enough to buy an automatic peeler and masher.
Experimenting further, the boys tried out many new methods to ease their labors. Finally, they hit on a dry potato mix that eliminated all their major troubles. There were no more tough sessions peeling and mashing potatoes.
Shortly after the Peltons got started they received many requests from local dealers who desired to handle the Spudnut product. At first, the Peltons rebelled. They wanted to hog the idea for themselves. Then the boys got to thinking. If a whole lot of dealers handled Spudnuts, they reasoned, we might get into the franchise business and thus spread our Spudnuts all over the world.
Within a few months, the Peltons entered the franchise business. The idea grew so rapidly that soon it was necessary to set up a special Franchise Department. Salt Lake City became the home base where a complete mix plant and warehouse is in operation.
Shipping to distant points became an important part of the new, growing enterprise. So the Peltons looked around for a suitable distribution area. After considering many cities, they settled on Cleveland, Ohio, to act as a pivot in handling distribution throughout the east.
Now they’re planning to build prefabricated stores which can be put up in a jiffy. The Peltons expect to be roaring into action with their ready-made stores soon. Anyone with as little as $1,750 can get started with a Spudnut Shop. For this money, the Peltons furnish a franchise and all the necessary production equipment.
Of course, the new operator must set up and pay for the decoration of his store. On the whole, the average Spudnut Shop costs $5,000 to open up for business.
Included in cost of a franchise is a half ton of mix—ten 100-pound bags, enough to produce 1,680 dozen Spudnuts. With Spudnuts selling at 50c a dozen, this represents $840 of the initial franchise fee back.
There’s no stopping the brothers now. And should you ever meet them, remember, don’t mention the word doughnut. They abhor it. In fact, they’re working on a little deal right now with a guy named Webster—they want to replace the word doughnut with Spudnut in the dictionary.
There’s still at least one Spudnut shop operating, here in Charlottesville Virginia. And I’ll tell you, as a big doughnut lover (dad was a cop) they’ll the best.
Comment by mckenzie — May 24, 2006 @ 7:10 am
There is a Spudnuts here on Orangethorpe Ave in Anaheim California. But, I am having a difficult time getting straight answers out of the owners as to whether this was from original franchise or is the name free domain?
Comment by John Watson — August 10, 2006 @ 12:27 pm
My daughters remember Spudnuts from highschool(1940’s) and were thrilled to find one in Richland, Wa. Are there any shops in the Spokane,WA/Coeur d’Alene,Id area?
Comment by Mary Taylor — August 10, 2006 @ 2:41 pm
Hi to everyone, My name is Randy Nies and I own a spudnut shop in Dumas Texas,and I must say that I also have eaten what is called spudnuts in the past that im sure are not, I also have bought the recipe for the spudnut donut and I think that we should have a donut cookoff and see who really has the best and true spudnut… any comments please send Thanks
Comment by Randy Nies — September 9, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
In Milwaukee WI during the late 60’s and early 70’s there was a Spudnut shop on Milwaukees north side.With a family of nine.My father would treat us on saturday mornings by purchasing 2 boxes of spudnut doughnuts..You will never forget the taste of this product..We still talk about them to this day and thats is 25 years ago..
Comment by James — December 25, 2007 @ 9:28 pm
Saw the following post and wondered if Franchises are still available or if the recipe can be
bought. We had one of these back in the early ’60’s in my hometown in Alabama and I loved them.
They just melted in your mouth. I would love to have the recipe just to bake them for special
occassions for my family. Any information available. Thanks, Wanda
“Hi to everyone, My name is Randy Nies and I own a spudnut shop in Dumas Texas,and I must say that I also have eaten what is called spudnuts in the past that im sure are not, I also have bought the recipe for the spudnut donut and I think that we should have a donut cookoff and see who really has the best and true spudnut… any comments please send Thanks”
Comment by Wanda Carwile — March 28, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
My grandmother ran a spudnut shop in Logan, West Virginia in the 1950’s. I saw a T.V. program this morning (April 20, 2008) that reminded me of that shop. This led me to do some research to see if today’s products cost $$$$ would allow going into that business. What do you think?
Comment by George Mathis — April 20, 2008 @ 8:50 am
I am located in New Mexico and would like to start a Spudnut Shop like to one that was in my town when I was a boy. It seems like it is a big secret when trying to find out about franchise information. If anyone knows how I can find out the ins and outs of the Spudnut business would they please respond. I thank you in advance.
Comment by Larry DeWees — April 23, 2008 @ 12:25 am
My Dad starts his morning every day with a trip to spudnuts. He says every destination starts from spudnuts. He won’t go anywhere else and he’s been going there since before I can remember. I have to admit, it holds fond memories for me as well, since he would quite often take me there after school or a doctor’s visit. He has recently settled for wafflehouse since the spudnuts in Mentor, Ohio is not open everyday for him.
Comment by Jamie — June 2, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
Ah! – Spudnuts – Memories – Time period 1954/55 – Door to Door selling
As a young kid I remember someone had a franchise in the Austin, MN area.
They hired a few of us to sell Spudnuts door to door in the Rochester, MN area on Satuday mornings.
I had a regular route – sort like a trap line – lots of fun.
I did it for a few months – good memories. Great experience meeting people / selling / etc.
Moved on to being a “paper boy” ( today – delivery person )for a couple of years.
For some reason today I recalled the term: Spudnuts – wondered what had happened.
Like life – things go in cycles – Someday someone will rekindle the “flame/embers” for those wonderful spudnuts on a national basis. As I see from the websites – They are still available in limited areas of the U.S.
“Memories”
Mike
Comment by Mike — June 5, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
Well, I too grew up on spudnuts in a little town called Pampa Texas and have always wonderd why the franchise didnt. Lasts..
Funny Randy from Dumas, Texas. My daughter was born there in the mid 80’s and is no Gluten
intolerant (celiac disease). Which means she will never eat a doughnut ever aging without severe
health problems. ut she can have potatoes, rice, corn. Is there anyway to get the recipe or ingrediants for franchise info. we live in SE texas now .. Maybe the franchise thing could come back.
Comment by Brenda Forman — June 6, 2008 @ 12:59 am
I owned and operated a Spudnut Shop in New Orleans,La. from 1955 until 1970.A lot of fond memories anda hell of a lot of hard work.You were married to the Spudnut Shop.Never had a day off for the
first ten years and never took a vacation. Switched my operation to making Buscuits(1/4 the
prep time.
Comment by Barry Drufner — July 4, 2008 @ 7:26 am
I too am wondering why everything is so hush, hush about the Spudnut franchises. Are there not any available anymore? I’ve heard from several that would love the start a shop in their hometown.
Comment by Wanda — July 4, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
My name is Leah Skinner and I grew up in Richland Washington where one of hte most successful Spudnut shop is still open. I no longer live in Washington and would like to open up a Spudnut shop where I live. I too am having a hard time trying to find out franchise information. If someone who owns a shop would be kind enough to contact me I would appreciate it. leah_skinner@yahoo.com. Thanks
Comment by Leah — August 2, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
I think Spudnuts would be a great addition to the New York City area. I would like information about every thing involved in starting a Spudnut franchise.
thanks
Comment by Scott Umland — August 8, 2008 @ 9:46 am
We had one in Jamestown NY during the 50s. A great family treat was heading over there with my father to bring home a dozen. You can Google to find a list of the remaining shops…mostly on the LA area.
Comment by Strong — August 10, 2008 @ 3:34 am
Back in the late 1950’s to about 1963 I lived in Columbia MO – I was 9 in 1958 and I sold newspapers on the street, the Columbia Tribune and the Columbia Missourian – plus many other odd jobs such as cleaning gutters and weeding gardens and collecting soda bottles at the building site of the hospital – there was a spud nut shop near the red campus where I picked up papers for the Columbia Missourian – I loved them ( the spud nuts )- one day I asked the owners if I could load bags of them in the baskets of my bike ( front and bothe sides ) get them on credit and then sell them door to door – they said okay and I sold them on Saturdays all over town for quite some time – I bought a tent, camping gear, clothes, indian lore craft items(leather, beads, feathers etc ) and balsa wood and an xacto set to make fishing lures and the best thing – a pure bred Irish Setter for $75 ! wow I still look back on that with great fondness
Comment by mike — September 17, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
For everyone who’s been looking for info about Spudnut franchises, a little seaching turned up this page:
http://ruthvenphotos.com/files/spudnuts.html
Which, among other things, says that Spudnuts is no longer a national company. Spudnuts shops still open apparently have their own recipes, because they’re no longer getting their mix from anyone.
If you want a mix to try to make some at home http://sbuddies.com/ sells their own version.
Comment by Anne — September 17, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
Oh the memories of hot spud nuts! They were absolutely the most lucious treat. The only spud nut shop in the Miami/Coral Gables area was located on Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, Florida. And how we all flocked there back in the 40s and early 50s. We couldn’t get enough of the warm crisp exterior and light as a feather interior. My favorite was always the glazed. Are there any such product in the South Florida area?
Comment by Mickey — November 15, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
You can do an internet search for various recipes.
Comment by Mike — November 16, 2008 @ 10:09 am
I do remember the Spudnut shop in my hometown of Montgomery, AL circa 1945-53. I loved those things
but in reading all above, I didn’t realize how much preparation time it took. But a friend sent
me these comments and it brings back thoughts of our youth. If I could find a Spudnut shop in Tennessee, where I now live, I would like to refresh my taste. They were better than the typical glazed doughnuts now sold.
Comment by Eddie Scott — December 15, 2008 @ 11:52 pm
I used to sell Spudnuts door-to-door after school and on Saturday in San Antonio Texas in the late 50’s. I was probably in the 5th or 6th grade. Someone would pick us kids up and take us around town and drop us off and pick us up later in the afternoon. We used a wire basket with a shoulder strap to carry the 18 or so 1/2 dozen bags. The 1/2 dozen bags were 35 cents each and we made 5 cents on each bag we sold. The best part was having the option to sell the last bag and keep the whole 35 cents or just keep the bag of Spudnuts for our own enjoyment!
Comment by Mike — January 24, 2009 @ 11:04 am
There was a Spudnut shop in Morgantown, WV in the late 50s and 60s. I was a studen at WVU and we loved our Spudnut Shop and spuddies (the cake doughnut) was wonderful as well.
Comment by ML Cornett — March 4, 2009 @ 10:24 am
I have been making spudnut for years , I work at a school and I make them for school and for hospitality room at ball games and I make them for our Church after Church social time. And I have been ask many time why I didn’t open a spudnut shop and I would just laugh, but I did not realize that there was a franchise of spudnut. and I would like more information. I have worked as a school cook for 30 years and am retireing but since I do enjoy making spudnut I just intested in what it would cost and what it would take to start a spudnut shop. Do you use potatoe flour or do you use mashed potato in your dough. Thanks Carol Ludlum
Comment by Carol Ludlum — March 8, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
Relax. I have the original mix sold to the franchises. I bought the whole recipe book from Will Bellar who was the Executive V.P. and General Manager of Spudnut International in Salt Lake City from 1971 to 1974. There were 6 Spudnut recipes in the book. Only 1 was used with the retail stores. I have got that recipe now, and it tastes exactly the same. There are no trans fats in our version, and if you fry the product in vegetable oil, there are no transfats anywhere. We are selling the mix in 6 lb. bags if you want to taste the product, or 50 lb. bags if you want to sell them in a store. We ship out of St. Louis, MO and Salt Lake City. Hey, someone had to bring the product back, and I did. We currently have the name Spudnut under a trademark. We’ll let you use the name if you buy the product. I’d rather not have franchise fees, as this donut belongs to America. Pretty soon you can find us on Spudnutdonut.com. Our website will be fully operational by the end of March, 2009. email me at douglas_bagley@yahoo.com We have a trainer, can sell you equipment for any size operation, and the original mix with all the great flavor that people will come back for. Thanks for reading this.
Comment by Doug Bagley — March 11, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
I enjoyed reading these comments and stories of the famous Spudnut Doughnut. I also grew up in Columbia, Mo duing the 1960’s. I remember every Sunday my father would drive to the Mizzou campus stop by the Spudnut, get a dozen of those famous doughnuts and a Saint Louis Post Dispatch newspaper. Wow, what a taste!! Well I had not thought of Spudnut in a long time, until recently. We were on vacation in Panama City, Fl driving down 23rd street and suddenly this Spudnut doughnut shop appeared! I nearly ran off the road! Well, they were closed, so I went back the next morning to get a dozen or so, and they were nearly sold out! I bought a dozen, took them back to my family in hopes to get a new family tradition started. Only one problem, not enough Spudnuts left. Thank’s to that Spudnut In Panama City in refreshing an old memory!
Comment by Steve Meyers — April 18, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
All the while we were married (49 years) my husband used to talk about the wonderfully delicious
“spudnut” donuts he has as a boy growing up in Montana; he practically drooled every time he
mentioned them…we could never find a spudnut donut shop in California, so I am surprised tofind this
web site. Unfortunately my sweetheart has passed away so it’s too late for him. However, I’d like to
try the spudnut myself as well as share with our grandchildren…any spudnut shops in Southern California?
Bev Holt
Comment by Bev Holt — June 28, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
Bev, look here http://spudnutshop.com/
Comment by Firebrand38 — June 28, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
And specifically for your question http://maps.google.com/maps?f=.....h&z=8
Comment by Firebrand38 — June 28, 2009 @ 7:39 pm
My grandmother had a Spudnut shop here in Logan, West Virginia in about 1952-1955. I can remeber the smoke burning my eyes from the cooking grease.
I still have the urge to get someone to set up another shop here. I do have some friends with a bakery. I haven’t discussed that with them. They make good donuts and other pastreys.
I have a recipe somewhere. Is there any Spudnut recipes vailable out there?
Thanks….
George
Comment by George Mathis — June 29, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
Hi: thanks for sending all the locations of spudnut shops here in Southern California. I was wondering if anyone
knows of a spudnut shop in Montana where my husband was raised. It would seem like it should have been somewhere
in the 40’s as Dick and his folks didn’t move to California until 1949. He used to talk lovingly about a spudnut
donut shop somewhere in Montana..they lived in Miles city, Dick went to college in Bozeman after he got out of
the Army. Bev Holt
Comment by Bev Holt — July 1, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
About 1955 I started selling Spudnuts door to door in the New Orleans area. I was wondering if Barry Drufner hired any young boys to deliver them during that time.
Comment by John Authement — July 31, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
Just today I was having fond memories of my period of being the “spudnut boy” in my neighbor-
hood of northeast kansas city,misssouri in the 1950’s. trouble was, i usually ate most of my
profit. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Comment by Barry Cammack — August 6, 2009 @ 9:13 pm
I was 10 or 11 years old (1958-59) when I first discovered spudnuts. Then they were sold out of a horse drawn wagon on a back road near my house in Mansfield, Ohio. Going price was 25 cents per dozen. My mother was horrified I associated with “gypsies” and was convinced I was going to be taken in the night and turned into a thief, vagabond, or God forbid, a spudnut salesman. Over the years since then, I’ve come across spudnuts here and there across the country, but none compared with the gypsie’s product. Closest I’ve found was a small shop outside Fort Meyers, Florida….close, but not a home run!
Comment by Paul Cornish — August 11, 2009 @ 10:04 am
I remember going out on Halloween “Trick or Treat”, and the Spudnut Shop on W 3rd St in Jamestown, NY would give kids a donut…Dad often brought a boxful home, what a treat.
Comment by Nancy (Crossley) — September 7, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
My husband and I use to buy Spudnuts, but I can’t remember where. We use to live near Kingston, NY from 1968 – 1971, before moving to Las Vegas, NV. From there we in Reno, NV from 1984 – 1991. I just saw a clip of Spudnuts on the Food Network channel. That triggered a spark in my memory bank that my husband loved those donuts. I can not recall where we were when we bought them. Can you tell me if there was a franchised store in any of the places we lived. Thank you. Diane Gormley
Comment by Diane — September 8, 2009 @ 12:50 am
>Is there any Spudnut recipes available out there?<
There’s a link to a recipe on this page – http://spudnutinfo.com – by a chef, Chef Bari.
Comment by spudnutlover — September 18, 2009 @ 10:30 am
I’m looking for a spudnut cafe near Chatham Ontario Canada. Can you tell me where that would be? Thanks. Wes
Comment by W. Summerfield — November 5, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
I remember eating spudnuts in bettendorf, ia as a kid. dad would take us kids to the store on state street on saturdays
Comment by Dennis speth — November 9, 2009 @ 3:33 pm