Parlor goes big with doughnuts
What sets the business apart? “The doughnut itself,” franchisee Saad Ahmed answered. “The doughnut is a light, airy, flaky doughnut. It’s not like a traditional cake doughnut. The doughnuts are a lot larger in size.
“Most people have a ‘wow’ factor when they look at our doughnuts,” he said. “We have 24 flavors, which is also a lot more than your regular doughnut shop.”
The best-selling doughnut nationwide, through the whole brand, is the French toast, according to Ahmed.
“Then, my personal favorite is strawberry shortcake,” he said.
Other sweet offerings are maple bacon, sandy beach, carnival, honey glazed, chocolate chocolate, campfire, peanut butter cup, among many others.
For those looking for something different, Parlor released a new line of savory layered doughnuts last month to satisfy those cravings.
“That is something you don’t expect at a doughnut shop for sure,” he said.
Customers can choose from margherita, OG pepperoni, pig & fig, chicken bacon ranch, buffalo chicken and Hawaiian BBQ chicken, as well as parmesan minis and a savory combo.
“With the style of doughnut we have — light, airy and flaky — savory doughnuts fit so well it,” Ahmed said. “In fact, even before savory doughnuts was an idea for the brand, I thought that in my head a long time ago, so the brand did what everyone was thinking.
“And, we’re going to be rolling out other seasonal options on that in the future,” he said. “Now, it gives our customers a real lunch option.”
For instance, people can come by for a dozen margherita or pepperoni doughnuts instead of a pizza.
Secondly, Ahmed said what sets Parlor apart is “the atmosphere, design and vibe of the shop.
“When you think of a doughnut shop, this is not what you’d think,” he said. “When you think of a coffee shop, you do.”
Along with their doughnuts, he said Parlor “has a very expansive coffee menu, as well, and our coffee can compete with the local coffee shops in the area.”
The menu includes specialty and craft coffees and drinks.
“We’re constantly expanding that menu,” Ahmed said.
Parlor Doughnuts is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m, seven days a week.
Also, the business offers catering for parties, weddings, baby showers and gender reveals.
“We can make those doughnuts custom,” Ahmed said.
He opened the Farragut store Valentine’s Day 2025.
“It’s going great, just going through the cycles of learning how to operate this,” he said. “We have our first store in downtown [Knoxville], so just learning how to juggle that, making sure we are able to be consistent in our customer service, the doughnuts, cleanliness, overall customer experience.”
Ahmed decided to open his second location in Farragut because he loves the community.
“I think Parlor fits the Farragut community, and Farragut fits Parlor’s brand,” he said. So when he heard about the Biddle Farms at Town Center, he said, ‘Why not?’ We said this would be the perfect spot for Parlor Doughnuts, and it’s worked out well for us.”
For more information, call 865-392-8392 or visit its website at parlordoughnuts.com
