Mister Donut returns to China with opening of new Shanghai shop

Mister Donut, the Japanese-owned donut chain, has returned to China by opening a new takeout-only store in Shanghai. The company, Duskin Co., withdrew from the Chinese market in 2019 due to declining sales and rising labor costs. The new location, situated in a major shopping mall, offers 25 items priced between 13 to 16 yuan ($1.9 to $2.4).

A deflationary trend in China, where Japanese restaurants are becoming more popular due to their affordable prices, contributed to the positive reception of the new store. Over 100 customers lined up for the opening, showing strong consumer interest.

Duskin President Hiroyuki Okubo expressed that the company decided to re-enter the Chinese market as its sweets market has matured and they found a suitable local partner. The first Mister Donut store in China was established in 2000 in Shanghai, later expanding to Hangzhou. At its peak, the chain had 25 outlets in mainland China. Notably, a limited-edition banana-flavored Pon De Ring donut is available exclusively in Shanghai.

Lu Gaozhan, a 28-year-old Mister Donut fan, expressed his delight with the return of the brand, having enjoyed their products during his visits to Japan even after the company's withdrawal from the Chinese market. He mentioned that he would buy a set of 10 donuts to share with his girlfriend after purchasing his own. Mister Donut currently operates stores in six other overseas markets, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and several Southeast Asian nations.