Doughnotes Header (Updated April 8, 2009)

Welcome to Lil' Orbits "Dough Notes," a tip sheet for Lil' Orbits and Orbie operators around the world.
We welcome your feedback and any comments you might have that would be of interest to other operators.

We have a merchandising idea that we want to share with you. Some of our operators have experimented with a merchandising idea that is proving to have great promise. They sell their mini donuts by the bucket like KFC sells chicken.

Image of the donut bucket This idea has been tested with several operators in the US with excellent results. One large carnival operator (running five 2400 machines) went through 40,000 buckets in two months while they also offered the standard bag of 1 dozen mini donuts for $3.00! They offer these two choices to the buying customer.

(1) Our Standard glassine bag holds about one dozen mini donuts and generally sells for $3.00 per dozen (USD).

(2) When operators present the donut bucket to customers they have been getting from $8.00 to $10.00 per bucket! They set up a sample bucket filled to the brim with fresh mini donuts topped with cinnamon sugar and put it on display. (Note: you don't have to go into details with your customer, but each each bucket holds 30 mini donuts (about 2 1/2 dozen) which would amount to a selling price of $7.50 per dozen by the bag or $4.00 per dozen by the bucket.)

Here's what operators are saying about the Lil' Orbits mini donut bucket:

"Works great! ... our first bucket order is gone ... just ordered 160 more."

"We ran out of buckets!  When customers came back for more, they were upset that we didn't have any more buckets. Then, they only bought one bag of dounts. Obviously, we lost $$ sales ... we could have sold a lot more donuts if we had more buckets ready to go."

"Great product ... and we'd like to have lids for the buckets."

In response to the last comment, we're now offering lids too!  Lids are on order and will be here at Lil' Orbits for shipment to operators in approximately two to three weeks. The lids will be priced to operators at $.14 each. We recommend that operators make lids available to customers who request them, and not include a lid with each bucket. Customers typically eat the mini donuts right after purchase, but the lids will make it possible for them to take a full bucket of donuts with them as they head home.

The bucket measures 4 1/2" high (11.4 cm) by 5 3/4" across (14.6 cm). and is made with food approved plastic. It's ideal for a take home item. Let them bring the Bucket home for freezing and reheating 'em as needed. (Our mix formula permits freezing and reheating, as you know). We suggest you line each bucket with glassine paper to give that extra "sanitary look".

HERE'S THE REALLY GOOD PART IF YOU ACT NOW!

We are offering 40 FREE BUCKETS to the first 120 operators who are willing to give them a try. You can combine with your machine or supply reorders.  The price you charge for a Bucket is up to you and only you can judge this market but you may follow the guidelines above..

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACCEPT THIS FREE , NO CHARGE OFFER OF 40 BUCKETS JUST EMAIL

brian@lilorbits.com or call Brian O'Gara at 1 800 228 8305 or 763 559 7505 and put in your request for "Free Buckets".

IN RETURN ALL WE ASK IS that you answer three questions for us after you use your free buckets:

  • What's the reaction of your market to this new idea?
  • Do you have any suggestions for our Buckets?
  • Did you increase sales and profits with the Bucket? Please provide as much information as you can when you answer these questions.

Then, if you wish to order more buckets, here's your pricing:
1 - 4 Cases, $104.00 per case ($0.65 each bucket). Order DB100.
5 - 9 Cases, $96.00 per case ($0.60 each bucket). Order DB101.
10 Cases and up, $88.00 per case ($0.55 each bucket). Order DB102.

Each case of Buckets holds 160 buckets and weighs 31 lbs. (14 Kg). Case dimensions are 30" x 16" x 13" (76 cm x 40 cm x 33 cm).

Let their eyes do the buying when they see your bucket on display. It's an attractive, excellent impulse sale to add to your operation.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE TO DOUGH NOTES? If you would like to offer any comments that would be of interest to other operations email brian@lilorbits.com . Be sure to put "Comments" in your subject line and we'll pass those good ideas on line for the next issue.

Farmer Market Operators Add a Twist: Instead of adding water to our mix they add their apple juice. Presto, great tasting "apple donuts". Others add cranberry juice for "cranberry donuts" or other juices they are selling.

Use your paper Lil' Orbits Hats as an advertisement: Here's another idea from one of our operators. When you serve your donuts to a family with kids give them one of your paper hats free of charge. The kids love 'em and they'll wear them and wander around the crowds to give you a free advertising. Try it, it works.

Keep checking back here for new issues of Dough Notes!