Family-Owned Doughnut Shop Saves Miami Business After Community Outcry (2024)

A little more than 20 days ago, New Times reported the heartbreaking news that Mojo Donuts, apopular doughnut shop with locations across Miami, would close the doors of its three Miami locations on November 15.

Fans of the doughnut shop immediately took to New Times'Instagram account on November 4 to express their disappointment, with one reader writing, "We're heartbroken to hear that Mojo Donuts will be closing their Miami-Dade locations. For eight years, they brought so much joy and flavor to our community with their fun and creative doughnuts. Thank you for all the sweet memories, Mojo Donut — you will truly be missed!"

According to former ownerJimmy Piedrahita of Mojo Donuts, who originally brought the delicious sweets from Broward County to Miami-Dade County in 2016, he could have never anticipated the overwhelming response he received from Mojo's devoted fans — he even received hundreds of calls, texts, social media messages, and friend requests on Facebook.

But fans weren't the only ones expressing their disbelief over the closing of Mojo Donuts — a local business owner and his sister did as well.

More Than 20 Employees Keep Jobs Thanks to the Hollywood Donut Factory

Bobby Palushaj and his sister, Kat, founders of the Broward-based doughnut and breakfast shop the Hollywood Donut Factory, were just as stunned.

"I said, 'I would love to talk to Jimmy,' because being in the business, it's a small industry in South Florida. I had heard of him, but I had never met him. I heard nothing but great things about Jimmy. It was honestly a shock when Jimmy told me about the closing because, you know, Mojo is a good brand, and it's a good product, so I was shocked. I was sad to hear it," explains Palushaj. "Then, when I had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy. I told him, 'I can't believe this is happening.' They have such a great team, and it was sad to hear. That's when I knew I wanted to do something to save the product, the locations, and most importantly, the team members who worked at all three Mojo locations.'"

So, Palushaj, who has a long entrepreneurial history and is currently running two successful locations of the Hollywood Donut Factory, knew what he needed to do — he and his sister stepped in to move into all three former Miami locations of Mojo Donuts. And now, because of his courageous act, not a single team member at the former Mojo Donut locations in Bird Road, Coral Gables, or Kendall lost their jobs — including the cleaning service members.

"I already had two people tell me, 'Thank you. You have saved my life,' and I go, 'I've saved your life?' But it's true — their jobs were everything to them. They tell me, 'Will Jimmy come back?' and I go, 'We'll see!' I called Jimmy, and I said, 'If the community has shown this much love for Mojo, it just goes to show how great of a guy you are.'"

More than 20 employees, including drivers and the cleaning crew across all three locations, never had to lose their jobs due to the ownership change — and that in itself is worth celebrating.

The Hollywood Donut Factory Swoops in With Wider Menu and Larger, More Affordable Doughnuts

Born and raised in New York City, Palushaj grew up one of eight siblings, and his mother would always make fresh bread and other treats for him and his siblings. "Food was always something big for us, and it always brought the family together," he recalls fondly.

Kat, his sister, got a master's degree in finance from Columbia University in New York City and ended up working in finance. Palushaj, on the other hand, always worked in food. He ended up purchasing Dandee Donuts in Hollywood before rebranding it to one of his own: the Hollywood Donut Factory, which, at the time, had only two locations along Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood.

Now, the rest is history.

The Hollywood Donut Factory has now taken over all three Mojo Donut locations in Miami, and locals can now get their hands on its delicious doughnuts, bagels, croissants, and breakfast items down in the 305. Although Mojo Donuts and its menu are gone in Miami, the company has proudly passed over the torch to the Hollywood Donut Factory, which has a wider (and more affordable) menu, larger doughnuts, and the same values.

"Not only has Bobby (Palushaj) swooped in to save Miami's sweet tooth, but he's expanded it," saysPiedrahita proudly. "Now people can go to the Hollywood Donut Factory for breakfast, coffee, espresso, cafecito, muffins, and even bagels."

Hospitals, Charitable Organizations, and the Hard Rock Stadium, Who Had Relied on Mojo Donuts, Can Now Rely on the Hollywood Donut Factory

"I want everyone to know that I am here to support the community," saysPalushaj. "Top to bottom, the same way it was done before. I just want to make the doughnut company bigger, better, and fresher, which is our motto."

Now, the Hollywood Donut Factory is seeking to partner with even more Miami-based organizations, including Mojo's original community partners. "We'd love to partner with local organizations or churches in Miami so we can donate our extra treats," he says. "Although we hope to always sell out, sometimes we don't, and we'd love to donate our products to the community."

Although the Hollywood Donut Factory is a local chain, it remains a sibling-owned business at heart, whose founders have deep ties, admiration, and care for South Florida."Everyone walks into the Hollywood Donut Factory thinking they're a customer, but they leave feeling like family."

Those interested in connecting or partnering with Palushaj in Miami to give back to the community can fill out this contact form here.

The Hollywood Donut Factory Miami. Locations in Miami (8870 Bird Rd.),Coral Gables (U.S.-1 and 57th), and Kendall (Inside of El Car Wash) and in Broward (Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale); thehollywooddonutfactory.com.