ROCK SPRINGS  – From the garage to the Food Network, Cowboy Donuts is celebrating three years of serving the residents of Rock Springs.

Jay and Penny Hammond and their son-in-law Derek Johnson started the business, but it did not go public right away. Jay said they did a lot of homework when they first decided to look at the possibility, talking to owners of similar businesses, talking to residents and looking at market research. That was just the start.

Jay said the business was first started in their garage. They worked many hours creating recipes and making sure the donuts were not only high quality, but unique and different.

“We had to make sure it was good,” Jay said. “We practiced the recipes in the garage until we had them down.”

The decision was made to open in 2010 and by March of 2011, they opened the doors in the Commerce Bank Center. Cowboy Donuts has a staff of 11 and they start making donuts at 2 a.m. By 5 a.m., the doors are open in time for the industry rush.

There were two keys Jay said they made sure were in place. A quality product and the best customer service in the city. Penny said customer service is the biggest key and Jay agreed.

“Our customer service is second to none,” Jay said proudly.

Residents buy up the chopped fritters but Penny said one of the local favorite is the donut they made on their Food Network appearance, the Chocolate Turtle Donut.

This donut is covered in chocolate topped with candy pecans and drizzled in caramel. Penny said they took the donut off the menu but people wanted it so badly that they are bringing it back on Thursday.

Not only do they serve the residents quality donuts, they also give a lot back to the community. They are big supporters of Make-A-Wish and have supported the Sweetwater One School Foundation in the past. Jay said they try to help out children in the community as much as they can.

One of the biggest fans of Cowboy Donuts just happens to run the state of Wyoming. Gov. Matt Mead recently spoke about how he had Cowboy Donuts delivered to Cheyenne by Sen. Mike Enzi. Jay said they met at the Broadway Theater during a small business conference at the Broadway Theater. He said it was an honor to have the governor’s support.

Residents can get to know the staff of Cowboy Donuts by stopping in at 1573 Dewar Suite 4 in the Rock Springs Commerce Bank Center. The shop opens at 5 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.

[button link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_-m9rxNUpQ#t=93″ style=”dark” size=”medium” target=”_blank”]Donut Dreams with Gov Matt Mead [/button]