Chhiv “Fong” Chhuor, owner of King Donuts, helps her baker, David Bryant (not pictured) with the process of preparing and glazing. They want to have them as fresh as possible for the next morning’s customers.
Running her business doesn’t stop there. It flows through many acts of service and commitment to providing the best products and experiences for her customers – customers who continue to make Fong feel welcomed in her new culture.
When Fong arrived in Williamsburg in 2016 to work as a crew member in her sister’s donut shop, she knew no English. “The customers taught me,” she says.
The English language wasn’t the only thing she learned while she worked. Fong’s sister taught her how to manage a business, building on Fong’s knowledge from the business courses she had taken in Cambodia. Five years ago, when her sister moved to California, Fong took over the shop.
“It’s a dream come true,” Fong says. She wants to return to her customers the warm welcome they’ve given her, so she works to offer the best products and consistent kindness to everyone who walks through the door.
One person who regularly walks in is Zach McCoig. He began coming to King Donuts as a college student in 2017. "I haven't quit yet," he says. In 2022, King Donuts catered his wedding. “They’re just the best,” he says. Zach says his favorite items are the bacon, egg and cheese croissant and the strawberry-glazed donuts.
Fong serves the community in many ways. She provides donuts to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Whitley County School District, local nurses, faculty and staff at the University of the Cumberlands and others. In addition to contributing products, she also provides jobs for many, including college students. Through their close work relationships, she gives training for the workplace and skills for beyond their schooling.
Fong hopes to continue to grow these lasting relationships with community members as well as with her employees. “I want to offer nothing less than the best,” she says.
David Bryant, designated baker at King Donuts, works with freshly made "from scratch" dough to cut and prepare donuts to go into the fryer. David prepares between 500-1000 donuts each night, depending on daily demand and events.
David pulls a freshly prepared batch of dough through the kitchen to continue the preparation process. David typically completes this full process through the night, seven nights a week.
The day begins early at the shop, with the doors opening before sunrise.
Fong serves a regular customer, Tiffany Ball, while they warmly greet each other and exchange stories about their daily lives. Fong is happy to treat her customers as friends and family alike.
A variety tray of freshly baked donuts is placed into the case for serving. Fong says the pink glazed with sprinkles is her favorite donut offered at the shop. “I like the simple, colorful donuts the most,” she says.
A customer chooses her favorite items, while behind the counter, Fong makes recommendations about best-sellers. Customers often stay in the shop to enjoy their purchases.
Fong awaits customers at the drive-through while admiring the rolling hills outside that surround the view from the shop.
Fong ensures the walls of the lobby are full of playful, bright colors to keep the atmosphere fun and inviting.
Fong cleans and sanitizes items from the kitchen at the end of use to prepare for the next day's cycle of creating fresh donuts and other baked products.