One potential source of overproduction — I think the KK donut line only runs at one rate, “on” as opposed to “off.” Note that the “Hot Donuts Now” sign is not always on… a sign of overproduction. If you are not there at a peak time, you will get glazed donuts out of inventory that was built up earlier when production > demand.

Sure, in a given day, I’m sure they don’t overproduce, making sure production = demand. But, within the day, there are peaks of overproduction because demand is not leveled.

I’ve also wondered by KK can’t do chocolate glazed donuts by having a second glaze tank with some sort of instantaneous “quick changeover” process that wouldn’t require stopping the line. You would probably get a few special “half and half” donuts with white and chocolate icing… might make for a nice marketing opportunity or a way to pull people in (come see the icing changeover). Or maybe not. I still think the chocolate glaze would be tasty hot off that line.

I assume they make their other donuts (crullers, jelly filled) in a traditional batch process?