Randy’s Donuts Santa Clara opening sparks a donut war with local favorite Stan’s

Talk about a hole lot of drama.

The Bay Area’s most talked-about new doughnut shop is grabbing attention not for its glaze, but for its location.

Randy’s Donuts, the iconic Southern California chain known for the giant rooftop doughnut at its original Inglewood store, has launched its first Northern California branch in Santa Clara this week.

However, the reception has been chilly, as the new shop has set up directly across from Stan’s Donut Shop, a beloved family-owned business serving the community since 1959.

By Friday morning, the rivalry was evident on the sidewalk. “Stan’s” was written in chalk outside Randy’s, surrounded by a heart—a clear sign of support for the local favorite. Many wore “Stand with Stan’s” shirts to show their loyalty.

For many Santa Clara residents, the issue isn’t just about doughnuts; it’s about a rapidly growing franchise challenging a neighborhood icon.

Critics have lambasted Randy’s for setting up so close to a business with a 67-year history of loyal customers, with some labeling it a corporate invasion from Southern California.

Adding fuel to the fire, the location has intensified the long-standing NorCal versus SoCal rivalry, with social media comments urging Randy’s to “go back to LA.”

Fans of Stan’s argue that their shop’s fresh, melt-in-your-mouth glazed doughnuts, made on-site daily, are unrivaled.

Price is also in Stan’s favor, with a glazed doughnut costing $1.90 compared to Randy’s $2.75.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

While Randy’s has pursued expansion, Stan’s has remained unchanged.

The shop still operates on a cash or check basis, not accepting credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments.

Julie Clark, current co-owner, expressed surprise at the uproar the doughnut shop has caused.

“It’s just a doughnut shop, for Pete’s sake,” Clark told SFGATE.

She acknowledged being overwhelmed by the local support.

“I know we have loyal people,” she said. “We have regulars, three and four generations, who come here together. It’s a place people come back to because it hasn’t changed that much. There aren’t a lot of places left in Santa Clara like that.”

Clark’s father, Stanford “Stan” Wittmayer, founded the bakery with his wife, Florence “Tina” Wittmayer, in 1959.

A World War II veteran who worked for Lucky grocery stores, he started the business to support his nine children while creating a neighborhood gathering spot.

Today, Stan’s remains family-owned with a single location.

Randy’s took a different path.

The original shop opened in 1952 as part of the now-defunct Big Donut Drive-In chain founded by doughnut machine salesman Russell Wendell.

It remained a one-store operation for decades until entrepreneur and attorney Mark Kelegian acquired the company in 2015 with plans to expand globally.

Expansion efforts accelerated when Randy’s launched its franchise program in 2019.

The chain now boasts over 50 locations across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia, with international outlets in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, and plans for 10 more locations.

While Randy’s pursued a franchise empire, Stan’s remained a single family-run doughnut shop, a Santa Clara tradition.

The rivalry has captured the internet’s imagination.

“Hell yeah Santa Clara! Way to show up for the locals,” one person wrote.

Another commented on enjoying both shops: “Stan’s at 8 a.m. Randy’s at 8 p.m. Win-win.”