L.A.’s World-Famous Randy’s Donuts Announces Vegas Expansion
You know what they say: good things crumb for those who wait.
World-famous Randy’s Donuts filed paperwork to begin construction on a Las Vegas location this week. The initiative begins two years after the L.A.-based landmark first announced its plans to expand to Sin City.
Considered “the most famous and recognized donut shop in the world,” the original Randy’s Donuts—located near the Los Angeles International Airport—was built in 1953 and features a famous 32-foot-tall doughnut sign mounted on its roof.
For over 60 years, the giant sign has made appearances in television, film, and music videos including “Arrested Development”, “Iron Man 2”, “Coming to America”, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ music video for “Californication.” The doughnut shop also launched a fashion collaboration with L.A.-based hip-hop collective Odd Future in 2017.
The Las Vegas incarnation will be located at 2693 Blue Diamond Rd, an empty plot of land near Las Vegas Blvd and Windmill Ln. The fast-casual project proposal for the 1,500-square-foot space includes adding an 18-foot replica of the original doughnut sign, a drive-thru, and a 24/7 indoor counter-service for take-out orders.
With five standing California locations, Randy’s is one of the most popular doughnut shops in the greater Los Angeles area. While its Instagrammable aesthetics and pop culture iconography are enough of a reason to visit, the menu itself makes it a go-to destination for tourists and locals alike.
While primarily known for serving traditional staples: glazed, old-fashioned, jelly-filled, cake, and crullers, Randy’s offers “fancy” varieties of old-school favorites, implementing ingredients such as matcha tea, Nutella, Fruity Pebbles, and s’mores. Prices range between $1.15 for classic doughnuts to $2.65 for premium items — a price point that will delight patrons in the southwest Vegas valley.
Randy’s was purchased in 2015 by retired lawyer Mark Kelegian for $2 million. In the five years since, Kelegian expanded the chain, adding locations in Century City, El Segundo, Hollywood, and San Francisco.
In 2019, the company revealed they plan to allow franchising. In an article published by QSR Magazine, the initial investment for a franchise ranges from $360,000 to $526,000 for an in-line (e.g. in a strip mall) location.
An estimated opening date for the Las Vegas expansion has not been officially announced.