Legendary retailer Tom Potter launches donut play in Townsville

Legendary Eagle Boys founder Tom Potter has ventured into doughnuts in Townsville.

Legendary Eagle Boys founder Tom Potter has ventured into doughnuts, opening a store in Kirwan with long-time friend and former pizza franchisee Glenn Adair.

The business partners have opened Galactic Donuts in Hervey Range Road.

Judging by the store’s popularity, it looks headed for the stratosphere.

Mr Adair, who has also worked in commercial property, said the shop had sold out of donuts on each of the first three days of trading well ahead of a scheduled closing time of 7pm.

“They are selling like hot cakes. It’s been a fantastic response,” Mr Adair said.

Mr Adair said the donuts were market tested in Mr Potter’s Crusty Devil Bakehouse in Brisbane before the launch in Townsville.

Mr Potter said people asked him why Townsville but he responded, “why not, it’s always been a good town”.

He said the customer response here had been “beyond belief”.

They have leased a 112 sqm tenancy opposite the Willows shopping centre.

Customers have been lining up to buy more than 40 different flavours of donuts which range from vanilla slice and Nutella to chocolate M&Ms and custard and cream.

Mr Potter is well known for his success in building Eagle Boys from one store into one of Australia’s largest pizza chains before selling the franchise in 2007, which then collapsed in 2016 under private equity ownership.

Colliers agent Shaun McLaren said Galactic Donuts had taken a long-term lease in a tenancy previously occupied by a pizza shop.

“This tenancy suited their business with ample parking at the front door, great exposure to Hervey Range Road, plus it already had a pretty good fit-out that was suited to a retail food tenant,” Mr McLaren said.

“They should be well received as a dessert and snack food offering in the area.”

Originally published as Legendary retailer Tom Potter launches donut play in Townsville