Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank CRAWFORD.
Hi Frank, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When football ended, I felt like I lost a part of myself. I went from having structure, purpose, and that competitive drive every day to stepping into a career job that just didn’t fulfill me the same way.
During that time, I was constantly searching trying to find myself again and figure out what I could build, not just for me, but for my growing family. I didn’t have it all figured out, but I stayed open. I started looking at everything as an opportunity, and that shift in mindset changed everything.
The turning point came when I was on vacation with my family. My daughter and I were standing in line for funnel cake, and we both looked at each other and said, “We can do this.” It was a simple moment, but it sparked something.
When I got back, I went all in on researching how to start a funnel cake business but in the process, I came across mini donuts, and that completely changed the direction. Something about it just clicked.
Once I made the commitment, everything started coming together, the name, the theme, the vision. I always knew I wanted to build something that could become a household name, but also stay true to who we are. Around that time, my wife’s little sister passed away, & things got delayed but it helped me find a way to honor her and keep her name alive through what we were building.
That’s how the name FranCo’s came together “Frank” from me and my son, and “Co” in honor of her. So every time you say the name, we’re carrying her with us. It gives the business a deeper meaning, a different kind of energy. FranCo’s Donuts is the Brand name that represents us all, we stand behind it.
In 2020, we launched FranCo’s Donuts, built around fresh, made-to-order football themed mini donuts and creating an experience people wouldn’t forget.
It’s bigger than donuts. It’s about family, legacy, and building something that last forever, & represent our culture, our city in a major way. We built this from the ground up.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges was building consistency while growing. When you’re starting out, you’re wearing every hat. Operations, marketing, customer service all at once.
But my background in sports helped me stay locked in. I treated the business like was still in football. Show up, execute, adjust, and keep going.
Every challenge became a way to sharpen the brand and improve the experience.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What I do is create an experience through FranCo’s Donuts. We specialize in made-to-order mini donuts that are always hot and fresh, but what people really know us for is the atmosphere we bring. When we arrive, it feels like a party—no matter the size of the crowd, we know how to engage people and create a moment.
We cater to events of all sizes, and everything we serve is built on quality and attention to detail. From our house-made sauces to our premium ingredients, we take pride in making sure every bite hits the same way, fresh, consistent, and done right.
Our All-American Cookies & Cream is a fan favorite and one of the flavors that really put people on to us. And the Strawberry Shortcake—that’s one you don’t want to miss. Those signature items help define who we are.
What I’m most proud of is building this with family. The connection we’ve built with people. Seeing customers come back multiple times at events, bringing others with them—that shows we’re doing something right.
What sets us apart is that we don’t just serve donuts—we create an experience people remember. It’s the energy, the quality, the family behind it, and the consistency. Everything is intentional. That’s what makes FranCo’s Donuts stand out.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I definitely didn’t do this alone. First and foremost, my wife deserves a lot of credit. She’s been there through every stage. from the early ideas to building the business and has always supported the vision, even when things weren’t fully clear yet.
My kids are a big part of this as well. They’re not just watching they’re involved. They inspire me every day and are a big reason why I push to build something meaningful. This is something we’re building together as a family.
I also have to give credit to my team and the people around me who help bring everything to life. They know who they are. When we show up, it takes effort, energy, and coordination to create that experience people love.
And of course, our customers and community have played a huge role. The support, the repeat business, the word of mouth—that’s what really helped us grow. When people keep coming back and bringing others with them, that’s real support I don’t take for granted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Francosdonuts.com
- Instagram: @francosdonuts
- Facebook: Francosdonuts
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@francosfamco?si=RmSz58sj4PFT-i4Z
