The Donut King

It’s 1975. A Cambodian refugee, Ngoy arrived penniless in Southern California with his family. He immediately began working, initially for the church sponsoring his family’s stay and later taking on the role of attendant at a gas station, hoping the two incomes would provide a better life for his family. Less than a decade later, Ngoy was a multimillionaire at the helm of an unlikely empire of independent donut shops and became widely known as “The Donut King.”

Fending off advances from large chains such as Dunkin Donuts, Ngoy was seemingly untouchable. Yet, like many people at the height of success, his fall from grace came at a moment when that success felt fated. Although a savvy businessman, Ngoy – after an innocuous trip to Las Vegas turned into a crippling vice – struggled for years with a gambling addiction, which eventually cost him his empire and family. Rackedwith guilt, homeless and supporting two small children, he set out to build a new life. But, this would not be the last time Ngoy’s addiction ruined his career, going from rich to poor not once, but three separate times. In The Donut King he shares his story — one of survival, hard knocks, and the indomitable spirit of a singular man with unparalleled vision.