Down for donuts: How this team is sweetening Chiefs’ Super Bowl sugar rush with Mr. D’s(fense)
January 28, 2025 | Taylor Wilmore
Another return trip to the Super Bowl has Kansas City small businesses joining the Chiefs as behind-the-scenes special teams fueling the Kingdom. For entrepreneur Johnny Chen, the mere taste of victory just a few years ago has multiplied into a box-full of opportunities.
Johnny Chen delivering Mr. D’s Donuts at Arrowhead Stadium; courtesy photo
“The Chiefs’ success has impacted our sales tremendously,” said Chen, co-owner of the popular Shawnee-based Mr. D’s Donuts, alongside his wife, Boggie Otgonbayar. “Usually, the first quarter of the year is the slowest season for restaurants, but with Kansas City now heading back to the Super Bowl, it’s brought in a lot of business.”
Football’s postseason now carries special significance with the team’s winning streak serving as more than a point of pride, but an inspiration point for Mr. D’s creative — and eye-catching — donut designs.
While the shop drops classic glazed donuts daily, Mr.D’s is known for its hand-crafted edible works of art — this time of year, featuring such treats as Patrick Mahomes’ face, player jerseys, and other Chiefs-inspired designs.
“We started doing custom donuts six or seven years ago, starting with themes like Pokémon,” Chen explained. “When it’s playoff season, our team comes together to brainstorm ideas for Chiefs donuts. It’s a team effort to design the fondants, icing, and everything else by hand.”
Mr. D’s Donuts has even catered events for the Chiefs organization itself, giving the shop a chance to build closer ties to the team and its fans.
“That exposure has been incredible for us, through TV, social media and word of mouth,” Chen said.
View this post on Instagram
Beyond feeding Chiefs fans (and players), Mr. D’s Donuts is giving back to the community. The shop recently partnered with Kansas City safety Justin Reid’s charity, JReid Indeed — a nonprofit focused on helping young people thrive in tech-driven environments, particularly targeting neighborhoods in Kansas City, Houston and Baton Rouge.
“And we’re finalizing another charity partnership this week,” Chen shared. “We want people to know that when they support us, we turn around and support the community.”
Mr. D’s Donuts isn’t the only Kansas City brand building an appetite among Chiefs fans. Check out these confections crafted for champions.
Kingdom Cake (Chiefs twist on King Cake) — $30
McClain’s Cakery
Chiefs 13-Piece Cookie Set
3TBakers (Customizable)
Big Game 8 Piece Chocolates — $26
Christopher Elbow
Chocolate Almond-Filled Football — $140
André’s Confiserie Suisse
Chiefs 7-inch Heart cakes — $25
Dolce Bakery
8-inch Chiefs cakes — $62-$72
McClain’s Cakery (Multiple variations available, including Andy Reidcicle, Football, TNT, and KC Wolf)
Custom Sports Shapes — $23-$25
KC Pretzel Boys
Featured Business
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Beyond Collisions: KCSourceLink duo craft book to build entrepreneurial ecosystems
When you’ve worked more than 15 years cultivating an entrepreneurial community, you’re bound to pick up a wealth of tools and insight. And in the case of Maria Meyers and Kate Hodel, the duo’s experience and knowledge have coalesced into a book that aims to provide cities a guide for how to broadly support entrepreneurs.…
KCultivator Q&A: Pedro Zamora percolates on chupacabra, HEDC, Mom’s slow-drip Folgers coffee
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Check out our features on ‘fashionpreneur’ Jordan Williams, Plexpod founder Gerald Smith, innovation coach Diana Kander, Victor & Penny’s Erin McGrane, SEED Law’s Adrienne Haynes, Code Koalas’ Robert Manigold, Prep-KC CEO Susan Wally and community builder Donald Carter.…
Contract Canvass develops tool for future dominated by freelancers
Chris Brown is working to put his law firm out of business. The Kansas City attorney — who for years has served creative professionals across the metro — recently created a contract automation tool for freelancers, eliminating a part of his business at Venture Legal. But while Contract Canvas might disrupt a facet of his…
Five inspiration points in Westport’s new Freedom design showroom (Photos)
Carol Espinosa bears a striking grin as she bounds up the steps to the rejuvenation area at Freedom Interiors. Palpable excitement beams through her voice. “This is possibly my favorite part of the showroom,” she says, pointing out the lush green carpeting, comfy seating and 360-degree view of the renovated space at 4000 Washington St.…