By Christopher Johnson
This month, Cops & Doughnuts earned a spot at number ten in MarketBeat’s survey of the “Top 220 Most Beloved Local Businesses Across the U.S.” The ranking, drawn from a poll of 3,004 businesses—many of them iconic Main Street staples—highlights the bakery’s role as a cherished cornerstone of its community.
“It surprises me. Out of the whole country”, says Greg Rynearson, Vice President of Cops. Comparing recognition to other scenic draws across the state.
“Henry Ford Museum, Mackinac City, Mackinac Island, Traverse City. I think it’s really cool that we’re on a list with those types of locations. That people want to make sure they hit before they’re done visiting.”
The list included 5 Michigan businesses in total. With Cops being #10, there was also John K. King Used & Rare Books in Detroit (#90), Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor (#125), Alger Hardware in Grand Rapids (#136) and American Spoon in Petoskey (#142).
“What really blows my mind, is Zingerman’s has been around a lot longer than we have—not longer than the bakery—but longer than Cops & Doughnuts, and they placed in the hundreds. I just seen recently that there was another piece about the Top Eight Bakeries in Michigan, and we were number one—and there’s a lot of good bakeries.”
So it’s safe to say there’s no shortage of recognition for the cop shop.
With publicity like this, it’s obvious that Cops’ not only commands enormous respect, but they know how to maintain a quality menu that keeps locals and tourists constantly talking. Take the Squealer for example. Named with a wink to cop culture, this long john has been delighting foodies for nearly ten years. Smoky bacon strips crown thick maple frosting, a sweet-and-salty combo that tastes so good, it’s practically criminal.
“With our product, It’s always pretty good. It’s just not always pretty. The reason for that, you know, some days we get so busy, and you have to make thousands and thousands and thousands of donuts. We make everything here in Clare and then we truck it out. Some days, the help—especially these hot, sticky days—it gets warm in here, and they’re working hard and everything. It might not be as pretty as it should be, but it’s always pretty good.”
While it sounds modest, “pretty good” is clearly good enough. Because there is now an agreement to take the donuts way beyond the usual jurisdiction.
Earlier this it was announced that Cops & Doughnuts would be teaming up with Halo Burger to expand its reach. No longer Cops & Doughnuts LLC, the brand is now managed under the parent company of Cops & Doughnuts Holding. Which is owned primarily by Achille “Ace” DiNello, a Michigan-based entrepreneur. Additionally, Ace owns the entire Halo Burger collective, along with Melting Moments and New York Style Pizza Pie.
Well, according to Rynearson, the vision as it stands is comparable to a franchise practice that’s also present here in Clare. Which is the classic 2-in-1 model. Using our KFC/Taco Bell as a reference point, picture expressway exits punctuated by combo locations where you would find both a Halo Burger and Cops & Doughnuts substation located inside. With a drive-thru, merch and everything you’d expect. A large commissary bakery will be constructed, and that will become the new genesis point for the long delivery runs that follow.
That’s the goal for the near future, which is going to bring Clare’s iconic brand even further into the sprawl of statewide commerce. However, Clare is and always will be Headquarters. The original recipe, heart and soul of the whole operation. Rest assured.
The idea to expand came as a foreword thought to relax these old boys into a groove that resembles retirement. Nobody’s leaving yet, but we all age and that’s an unavoidable reality. Someday the torch will need to be passed. The Cops have made sure that when it’s time those hands are reliable and tuned to the same frequency.
Ace fits the mold, as they say. He understands the greater mission and is going to keep Cops & Doughnuts well preserved in the Michigan realm of authenticity.
Consider Halo Burger’s roots: born in Flint, the company built its menu on Michigan beef and other local staples. The flagship location even doubled as the original Vernors soda plant. Add in Kogel’s viennas for their famous chili dogs and Tacconi sauces, and you’ve got a brand steeped in hometown flavor—the perfect partner for Cops & Doughnuts. When the listing went live, more than a hundred offers poured in, many higher than the final deal. But for the Cops, price wasn’t the point. What mattered was finding a buyer who understood the brand’s legacy and was committed to protecting its values.
For now, though Greg is still very involved. All it takes is a follow on social media and you won’t have to wait long to see his smiling face pop up in your feed with the latest excitement.
As for making #10 on this list, he attributes it to the phenomena that is walking into the bakery, and what you can always expect to be met with.
It’s pure Americana—an atmosphere that stirs all five senses. The smell of good food drifting through the air. The hum of friendly voices and laughter. Sunlight glinting off old brick and vintage facades. It’s a living postcard of small-town life, wrapped in nostalgia so timeless and inviting that people from every walk of life find themselves coming back for more.
“The one thing that I do, and we push and we do it with our help, is we want this to be an experience and an event.” He concludes with pride. “We’re a donut shop and bakery, but really, it’s an event. We got all the memorabilia; we want everybody to treat everybody. Have fun with them and treat them like family. Joke around and have a good time. That’s the environment we pride on.”
Greg describes the sensory experience as instantly familiar and welcoming, “like stepping into Grandma’s kitchen”. Surrounded by comforting smells and helpful hands. By the time you sit down, it feels like coming home.
