LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA — Donut lovers across the Bay Area got some disappointing news this week: Johnny Doughnuts, a popular regional chain, is shutting down half of its locations.
But if you’re a Lafayette resident who saw the headlines and immediately worried about the future of the city’s beloved Johnny’s Donuts, there’s some good news.
Lafayette’s Johnny’s Donuts is a totally separate, unrelated business and is not part of the announced closures.
The old-school donut shop at 3629 Mount Diablo Boulevard has long been a local favorite, serving generations of residents everything from classic glazed donuts to jelly-filled treats and donut holes.
And despite the very similar names, the closure announcement concerns an entirely different company.
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Three Johnny Doughnuts Locations Are Closing
According to reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle and SFGATE, Johnny Doughnuts is closing three of its six Bay Area shops, with Monday, November 9, marking their final day.
The affected locations are in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood, Santa Rosa, and San Jose’s Santana Row.
The company will continue operating its shops in San Rafael, Larkspur’s Marin Country Mart, and Napa’s Oxbow Public Market.
The closures will eliminate 34 jobs.
The company’s co-founders, Craig Blum and Kim Diamond, attributed the decision to expansion that outpaced what the business could financially sustain.
Johnny Doughnuts began as a food truck in 2012 before opening its first permanent shop in San Rafael in 2013. It became known for creative flavors, locally sourced ingredients, and distinctive donuts, including its croissant-inspired creations.
Lafayette’s Johnny’s Is a Local Institution
Meanwhile, Lafayette’s Johnny’s Donuts is a long-standing icon of Lafayette.
Located along Mount Diablo Boulevard, the shop offers a traditional donut-counter experience: cheap, delicious donuts, often carried to local offices and schools in pink boes, or eaten before reaching one’s car!
Unlike the more contemporary Johnny Doughnuts chain, Lafayette’s Johnny’s focuses on the classics.
Customers can find cake donuts, raised glazed donuts, filled varieties, bars, and donut holes.
Bay Area Telegraph previously visited Johnny’s in 2023 and highlighted its exceptionally affordable prices, old-school atmosphere, and particularly delicious raspberry jelly-filled donuts.
Similar Names, Different Donut Shops
The confusion is understandable. But again, the businesses are distinct.
Johnny Doughnuts is the Marin-founded company that expanded around the Bay Area before announcing its latest round of closures.
Johnny’s Donuts is Lafayette’s longstanding neighborhood donut shop, located at 3629 Mount Diablo Boulevard.
Johnny Doughnuts may be cutting back. But Johnny’s Donuts is, by all accounts, doing just great.
Now, after all this talk of donuts, you should probably stop by Johnny’s later for a donut–or a dozen!
