What the Fudge to build franchise after pop-up dessert store success
ANDREW DUONG’S delectable desserts, like this deep fried Golden Gaytime, have been such a hit at his pop-up store that a new franchise is set to be built in Sydney’s west.
The Standard
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WHEN you’re feeling stressed, Mt Druitt desserts king Andrew Duong has a guaranteed fix.
Eat dessert!
After all, he points out, stressed is desserts spelt backwards — and that surely has to mean something.
To remind people of the point, Duong has written the remedy on a mural at his What the Fudge pop-up store at Westfield Mt Druitt.
“Whether you are young or really old, when everyone eats desserts they are happy, and that is the kind of market I wanted to be associated with,” managing director Duong said.
The delectable sweet treats offered at What the Fudge’s pop-up have been such a hit the franchise is going to stick with the community.
In a huge plus, loyal and new customers will be able to devour the signature deep-fried Golden Gaytime every day of the week.
The team is planning to build a permanent dessert bar over the next few months in Westfield Mt Druitt’s food court.
“We’ve been here for about two to three months and it’s been a really good response in Mt Druitt,” Duong said, suggesting the support had sealed the deal.
The creator of What the Fudge’s mouth-watering recipes tested his initial inventions on family and friends.
But more recently a handful of regular Mt Druitt customers were lucky enough to taste test Duong’s newest menu item, the deep fried Golden Gaynetto.
The Gaynetto is a fusion of the Golden Gaytime and Cornetto.
While other menu items such as the waffles — now available in a ‘make your own’ version — and the Nutella bomb frappé are fan favourites, the ice cream invention seems to be the winner.
“Anyone who one tries it loves it,” Duong said. “I pretty much wanted to put a modern twist on an old-school classic; it brings you back to your childhood.”
When What the Fudge becomes fixed in the shopping centre it will add more menu items, similar to its Cabramatta restaurant.
Duong said the pop-up was initially a response to many customers travelling from western Sydney for a bite of his desserts.
“A lot of our clientele came from Mt Druitt and out this way to Cabramatta so I thought we would bring What the Fudge to them,” he said.
The Mt Druitt franchise is expected to open its doors by January.
Watch Andrew Duong make his Nutella Bomb Milkshake
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