Donut Business: compare the models.

Look at the operating differences before comparing financial projections.

Back to all donut business models
Donut Business: operating comparison
ModelEarns fromCapacity constraintsKey distinction
Retail Donut ShopFulfilled orderPreparation and counter throughputNo full dining-room service; throughput follows orders rather than seats.
Donut CafeGuestSeats, preparation throughput and opening scheduleSeated service requires customer space and front-of-house labor.
Drive-Through Donut ShopVehicle orderQueue, ordering, preparation and handover bottleneckVehicle access and coordinated lane throughput create a different site and staffing model.
Wholesale Donut ProductionExternal finished unit soldBottleneck production stage, good-output yield and inventoryThe manufacturer owns inputs and finished inventory and carries external product sales risk.
Mobile Donut ShopFulfilled orderUnit throughput and selling hours after travel and setupVehicle-based preparation trades permanent seating for mobility, setup and pitch constraints.

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Use consistent periods, geographic assumptions, owner labor treatment and financing assumptions. These operating descriptions are not a profitability ranking.

Understand financial assumptions