At 4:45 a.m., Janeda Testa looked out the door of her business to see a line of customers waiting outside.
Word travels fast any time a new donut shop opens, so when Testa announced that she would be launching her second Hole in One Donuts location in Port Richey, and that the first 25 customers would receive prizes that ranged from a free cup of coffee to a dozen donuts, she expected to see a few.
However, just 15 minutes before she opened the doors to customers for the first time on May 1, a line of residents stretched the entire length of the shopping center at 6219 Ridge Road. Similar crowds formed each morning throughout the opening weekend, with customers lining up before the doors opened on both Saturday and Sunday as well.
“I was extremely surprised,” Testa said. “I actually was like, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe you guys are all out here.’”
Yet for Tampa Bay residents, Hole in One Donuts has been a staple for decades — a go-to shop to get fresh donuts and other breakfast sandwiches. In fact, Yelp recently featured the North Florida Avenue location in Tampa as one of the “50 Best Donut Shops in America.”
Although Testa and her husband, Kosal Pho, don’t own that shop, it’s still all in the family — Pho’s aunt started the first Hole in One Donuts location about 35 years ago in Plant City, and all of the Tampa area locations use the family’s recipe.
“Over time, the business expanded organically within the family, and today the different locations are owned and operated by cousins, siblings and close family friends,” Testa said.
Testa and Pho own the Tarpon Springs shop on U.S. 19, along with the newest Port Richey location.
The timing to expand carried personal significance for Testa. After suffering serious injuries from a car accident last year, Testa needed multiple surgeries for herniated discs. She also underwent surgery for injuries she had sustained to her hands from years of overuse, she said.
“During my recovery, our cousins stepped in to help run our Tarpon Springs location so I could focus on healing,” Testa said. “That support gave us the opportunity to take the next step and expand.”
Testa and Pho chose their home city of Port Richey for their newest shop, saying it was the right time to invest back into their own neighborhood.
“Over the years, we’ve built connections in the community — even something as simple as stopping by city hall or the fire department on our way home from our Tarpon store to drop off donuts,” Pho said. “It’s those everyday relationships that made this feel like the right place. Opening here just felt natural — it allows us to be closer to home and more connected to the community we’re already a part of.”
The couple’s Ridge Road location is the largest Hole in One Donuts location yet at about 2,000 square feet. They are starting with a team of four employees at the Port Richey shop, but plan to expand to around 10 as the business grows, she said. Also in the works is a photo-worthy area for customers that includes a 4-foot LED version of the company logo.
“We’re still putting the final touches on the space, but we’re really excited about creating a fun, welcoming environment,” Testa said.
While she says the shop stays traditional with its donuts to focus on the classic, old-fashioned comfort people know, Testa also enjoys exploring special flavors and donut art.
“I love creating visually beautiful, custom-designed donuts that are almost like edible pieces of art,” she said. “It gives us a way to offer something unique while still staying true to our roots.”