Which doughnut chain operates over 1,000 stores in Japan?

Which doughnut chain operates over 1,000 stores in Japan? Mister Donut does.

Mister Donut was founded in the United States in 1956, but its center of gravity shifted to Asia. Japan’s first outlet opened in Minoh, Osaka, in 1971, and Duskin acquired the franchise rights for Japan and Asia in 1983. Duskin’s local operation turned the chain into a major Japanese doughnut institution.

The brand is especially associated with Japan’s pon de ring, a chewy, bead-like doughnut made from connected dough balls. Japanese shops also sell familiar items such as French crullers alongside flavors and seasonal collaborations designed for the local market.

A common mix-up is Dunkin’ Donuts: the two brands once had a corporate connection, and many former Mister Donut locations in North America converted to Dunkin’ after the 1990 acquisition. In Japan, however, Mister Donut remains the recognizable large-scale chain. Store totals vary by date and counting method, but recent figures remain above 1,000 domestic locations.