Cops love doughnuts– it’s a stereotype we’ve all seen, heard, and accepted. But recently, a few police officers in Michigan took the career and food pairing stereotype and turned it into a successful business.





There were an estimated 780,000 police officers in the U.S, in 2012, and by 2022, the country is expected to hire an additional 41,000. According to Click on Detroit, a few police officers from Clare, Michigan decided to take a doughnut shop that was going out of business and turn it into something really sweet. Since their first shop opened up, they have expanded their doughnut chain to six locations.





There are about 1.5 billion gallons of ice cream and similar desserts produced in the United States each year. While ice cream is a popular treat, nothing truly compares to a good doughnut. The Cops and Doughnuts website gives a little background into what sparked the initial purchase.





“There is a doughnut shop and bakery in Clare, Michigan that has been in constant operation since 1896. This foundation business was within weeks of closing when the members of the Clare Police Department came to the rescue. All of them. That’s right, all nine members of the local police department banded together to save this historic business,” the website says.





At the shop, you can find some delicious treats with police-officer position related names. You can indulge in a “felony fritter” or a “nightstick” and wash them down with a hot cup of coffee. The chain has started selling their very own K-Cups, so if you love their coffee just as much as you love their doughnuts, you’re in luck!





The Washington Post says that the bakery can do more than just offer customers some delicious treats. They say that sometimes people find it easier to connect and speak with cops if they’re not wearing their uniform. So, talking to them in aprons can be a lot easier. Many locals that are having problems will call or stop by Cops and Doughnuts to talk about what’s going on with their favorite men in blue. Even though some of the shop owners aren’t active in the force anymore, they are still dedicated to helping anyone who has a problem. If there is an incident happening outside the shop, the officers have been known to switch out their aprons for orange traffic vests to help resolve the problem.





The popularity of the company seems to keep growing every year. In 2015, 500,000 fans lined up to get their hands on some of the baked goods and coffee. On any given Saturday during the summer, the shop will see as many as 4,000 people waiting in line. The United States commercial bakery market has grown steadily in recent years, expanding from $26.2 billion in 2008 to $30.9 billion in 2014. With the help of Cops and Doughnuts, chances are it will grow even more.

You can find Cops & Doughnuts at these Michigan locations:

Sutherland Precinct

710 E Midland St

Bay City, Michigan

Clare City Bakery

521 N McEwan St.

Clare, MI 48617

Central Precinct

1327 S Mission

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Jay’s Precinct

1151 S Otsego Ave

Gaylord, Michigan

McDonald’s Precinct

103 E Dowland St

Ludington, Michigan