SOUTH Belfast is going all-US with its donut craze, according to the owner of destination coffee and donut emporium Guilt Trip..
The chain, founded in 2017 by ex-Ulster rugby players Darren Cave and Calum Black, has just opened its ninth outlet, investing £50,000 into a 20-seater 750 sq ft store on Belfast’s Lisburn Road, creating six new full and part-time barista roles.
With a distinctly New York feel – trendy and monochrome with splashes of bright illuminated neon signs - the eaterie is replicating its America equivalents, according to Cave.
“We’ve experienced something of a meteoric rise in demand for our donuts and coffee, often selling out,” he said.
“We hand make, bake and glaze our donuts fresh every morning, and everything we put into them is made from scratch.
“In America, donuts are the go-to sweet snack to grab and go - and we’re delighted we’re able to bring our single origin roast coffee and merchandise to donut lovers across Northern Ireland.”
As revealed by the Irish News in February, Guilt Trip Coffee + Donuts has enjoyed a major growth spurt, bringing on board hospitality industry veteran Adrian McLaughlin as a business partner and now employing 80 people across its sites located in Belfast, Portstewart and Worcester.
Cave added: “As Northern Ireland’s love affair with donuts continues, we’re excited to bring Guilt Trip to the south side of the city. Belfast’s Lisburn Road is a haven for independent coffee shops, and we hope we will complement the existing offering.”
