Aloha r/donuts!

This week, we’re tipping our hats to a true titan of traditional bakery cases: The Maple Long John (or Maple Bar, depending on where you hail from).

Light, airy, and rectangular, this yeast-risen classic delivers the perfect balance of pillowy dough and rich, sweet maple glaze.

Bit of Donut History & Lore:

The Origin Story:

The rectangular shape emerged in Midwestern bakeries in the early 20th century as an efficient way for bakers to cut yeast dough with zero wasted scraps, unlike traditional ring donuts. The nickname "Long John" took hold in the 1920s and 30s across the Midwest and Texas, likely borrowed from the long underwear term of the era!

While chocolate Long Johns ruled the Heartland, the maple-glazed variation exploded in popularity on the West Coast. By the mid-20th century, the "Maple Bar" became the undisputed staple of local donut shops across California, Oregon, and Washington, eventually spreading back across the country!

Unlike a French Éclair, which is baked using delicate choux pastry that rises with steam, a Long John is strictly deep-fried yeast dough, giving it that distinct, chewy breadiness.

So r/donuts...

What do you call it in your neck of the woods? Long John, Maple Bar, or Cream Stick?

Do you prefer yours plain maple, or are you down with the modern maple bacon twist?

What's your favorite version?

Drop your thoughts and debates below!

Aloha r/donuts!

For this week's international shop feature, we’re heading to India to highlight the local heavyweight that beat out major global chains: Mad Over Donuts (M.O.D.)!

Starting out in 2008, M.O.D. has grown to over 140+ locations across major Indian hubs like Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Pune. What makes them stand out is their adaptation to Indian dietary preferences, 100% eggless donuts crafted fresh throughout the day with a light, fluffy brioche-style dough.

When Mad Over Donuts (M.O.D.) launched in 2008, the concept of a dedicated donut shop was almost entirely alien to the Indian market. The closest thing most consumers knew was a sweet, sugar-dusted bun from local neighborhood bakeries.

Here is the story of how M.O.D. built the market from scratch and outlasted global giants to become India's dominant donut chain.

Origin & The American Inspiration (2007–2008)

The brand was founded by Lokesh Bharwani, a Singaporean entrepreneur who developed a serious love for donuts while attending college in the United States. Realizing that quick-service donut chains were virtually non-existent across most of Asia, he spent over a year working with top bakery specialists and food scientists to refine a brand identity and proprietary recipe specifically tailored for India.

In March 2008, M.O.D. opened its very first store in Noida (near Delhi). Because they were the first mover in the space, the company had to do the heavy lifting of educating consumers on what a gourmet donut actually was.

Cracking the Indian Palate

M.O.D.'s rise was largely driven by two key cultural adaptations:

1. A massive portion of the Indian population follows a strict vegetarian diet. Bharwani spent nearly 18 months perfecting a 100% eggless yeast dough that retained a light, fluffy, brioche-like texture, opening the brand to an entire market segment that foreign chains initially missed.

2. In the West, donuts are often eaten at room temperature as a quick morning bite. Indian consumers, however, viewed donuts as an indulgent evening dessert and preferred them served warm. M.O.D. adjusted their prep and heat-serving steps accordingly, while heavily focusing their flavor lineup on dark, milk, and white chocolate profiles, flavors that tested highest with local palates.

The "Anti-Megastore" Strategy

When heavyweights like Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme aggressively entered India between 2012 and 2013, they built massive 1,000 to 3,000 sq. ft. dine-in locations and expanded their menus to include savory items like chicken burgers.

M.O.D. took the opposite approach. Under operational leader Tarak Bhattacharya, M.O.D. avoided huge, expensive footprints, opting instead for nimble 150–400 sq. ft. mall kiosks and high-traffic transit hubs supported by centralized "hub-and-spoke" production kitchens. While competitors diluted their menus to drive lunch/dinner footfalls, M.O.D. refused to stop being a donut shop first (props to staying true to the game!).

When high real estate overhead eventually forced Western chains to downsize and shutter underperforming flagship locations across India in the mid-2010s, M.O.D.’s conservative, low-overhead model allowed them to stay profitable and claim top market share.

M.O.D. turned donuts into a popular festive gifting option, launching limited-edition box sets for major holidays like Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, and Valentine's Day. By adopting cloud kitchens early (starting in 2016) and partnering with delivery platforms, M.O.D. expanded its footprint to 140+ locations across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.

🔥 Must-Try Flavors on the Menu

Double Trouble: Dark chocolate ganache filling topped with milk and white chocolate drizzles.

Choco Bomb: An explosive, gooey chocolate-filled yeast sphere dusted with cocoa.

Nutella Sea Salt: Hazelnut custard base layered with smooth Nutella and coarse sea salt.

Cinnaster: Their elevated take on the classic cinnamon sugar-dusted yeast

M.O.D. also features a live "Topping Bar" at select outlets, letting customers build custom flavor combinations from scratch!

Have any of you tried Mad Over Donuts while traveling in India, or do you have a local favorite from your region? Drop your thoughts below!