Artisan doughnut bakery serves up its first café

An artisan doughnut manufacturer, whose production and turnover has increased by nearly 700 per cent in less than ten years, is branching out into café ownership.

Pipp & Co, which produces more than 20,000 doughnuts a week from its Swindon factory, has opened its first café, in Bristol, investing in refitting an empty commercial unit in College Green. The café will be the first in a series, with plans for outlets in other locations in the future.

Mario and Betina Evangelista bought the company in 2015 and have grown it from a small bakery selling primarily at farmers’ markets, into a £1.3m turnover business employing 30 people. The new café is creating a further eight roles.

All the doughnuts are made from scratch at the Swindon factory, using quality raw ingredients, which are locally sourced where possible. There are no artificial colourings, flavourings or additives. The freshly baked doughnuts are designed to be eaten on the day of purchase.

“It was a very different business when we bought it,” said Betina. “It had been set up by two patisserie chefs, who were mainly selling into farmers’ markets. We still sell our doughnuts at farmers’ markets and many of these we have been visiting for years. We have a great and loyal customer base, there is a very special atmosphere, and we love visiting the markets.

“We have, however, expanded and now also have a lot of stockists, including farm shops and cafes. A big part of our business is selling to corporates, through running regular popup shops and by stocking staff restaurants. We have always stayed true to the original founders’ passion for creating a quality product, from quality ingredients, with nothing artificial.”

Mario added: “Betina and I had been in the food business when we were much younger, running a small restaurant for a couple of years. Life then took us on a different path however the passion for good food stayed with us and as our children got a bit older, we were looking for an opportunity. By chance we came across the doughnut business at a farmers’ market with a massive queue and we thought we just had to try some of those doughnuts. We bought the business, and the rest is history.”

From 2,500 doughnuts a week in 2015, Pipp & Co (formerly called Pippin & Co) is now making 20,000 a week on average and has expanded the range to include cinnamon rolls and cruffins (a croissant/muffin cross).

In 2022, the business relocated from its original production unit to much larger premises in Swindon, giving it capacity to upscale and produce new lines, with a large investment in fittings and new equipment.

The fresh food served at the Bristol café is made by Pipp & Co, and as well as doughnuts there is a range of savoury pastries and new sweet bakes.

Mario said: “If Bristol is successful, and we believe it will be, we have plans to open more cafes in other locations.”

Pipp & Co also recently launched a coffee and doughnut van, which visits business and industrial parks, and can be booked for corporate events, weddings and sporting fixtures.

The doughnuts and other products are available through stockists from Reading to Oxford, and from Stroud to Bristol. For more information visit https://www.pipp.co/.