CASE STUDY

Revolution Doughnuts

Reimagining a community staple through thoughtful design

As the business continued to grow, the team at Atlanta’s beloved Revolution Doughnuts recognized the need to rethink not only how their space looked, but also how it functioned.

Inside a bakery with a glass display case filled with assorted donuts. Four people work behind the counter, and the bakery has white walls, pendant lights, and a black door.
Shelf display with coffee mugs, travel mugs, hats, and coffee-themed signs in a store.
Interior of a coffee shop with a counter, a barista serving a customer, and a coffee grinder on the right. Shelves with boxes and menu boards are visible in the background.

The Challenge

It all started during COVID. In the interest of public safety, the Revolution team removed all interior seating and moved many of the back-of-house functions into the main area. The result was a space with limited gathering spots and no clear flow.

Fixtures and finishes showed significant wear. Customers queued in a cramped ordering zone where coffee service was hidden, the doughnut case wasn’t featured, and even the restroom was located through the kitchen.

The Solution & Strategy

The design strategy focused intensely on optimizing customer flow while also celebrating the brand’s local charm.

SERVICE COUNTER We repositioned the main counter perpendicularly to maximize its length and enhance efficiency.

PRODUCT DISPLAY We relocated the doughnut case—the primary feature of the space—to an angled, front-and-center position near the entrance to immediately greet and guide guests.

COFFEE FEATURE Relocating the espresso machine to the front counter prominently highlighted specialty drink offerings.

WAYFINDING The menu design became more visually defined, complemented by a retail section with a seamless built-in look.

SEATING Reintroduced seating with a banquette along the sidewall, anchoring the area with a decorative millwork wall and sconces.

FUNCTIONALITY Resolved the major operational flaw by integrating a new, easily accessible public restroom, discreetly hidden behind a mobile pickup shelf. We also created a dedicated wash area for patrons near the condiment station, utilizing a repurposed vintage sideboard sourced by the owner for an added touch of charm.

Renderings

  • Interior of a restaurant with beige padded bench seating, black chairs, wooden tables, and a wall-mounted light fixture.
  • Inside a coffee shop with a stainless steel La Marzocco espresso machine, two employees, shelves with coffee supplies, and condiment bottles on the counter.
  • Shelves with coffee mugs, canned coffee, hats, and coffee-related items in a retail display.
  • Display case with various donuts, including vanilla bean yeast-raised, chocolate, and decorated with colorful toppings.

Design & Finishes

The finish selections were deliberately chosen to integrate the interior with the building's historic 1930s facade.

The aesthetic aimed for a warm, inviting, and period-appropriate atmosphere, nodding to the site's proximity to train rails and its industrial roots. This was achieved through:

  • The installation of a patterned hexagonal floor.

  • Adding feature lighting over the main bar to ground the space.

  • Specifying highly durable marble bar tops.

  • Incorporating accents of brass and black metal into the fixtures and furniture.

The color palette was intentionally restrained, utilizing dark browns and neutral backgrounds. This strategic choice allows the vibrant, natural glazes of the doughnuts—specifically the raspberry and pistachio—to truly stand out and act as the "jewelry" for the space.

Gallery

  • Interior of a restaurant with beige padded bench seating, black chairs, wooden tables, and a wall-mounted light fixture.

  • Inside a coffee shop with a stainless steel La Marzocco espresso machine, two employees, shelves with coffee supplies, and condiment bottles on the counter.

  • Shelves with coffee mugs, canned coffee, hats, and coffee-related items in a retail display.

  • Display case with various donuts, including vanilla bean yeast-raised, chocolate, and decorated with colorful toppings.

  • Inside a coffee shop with a counter, a barista talking to a customer near a large window, and a coffee grinder on the counter.

  • Interior of a bakery with a glass display case filled with various donuts and pastries. There are customers and staff behind the counter, and the decor includes hanging lights and ceiling fans.

  • Inside a donut shop with a white counter, a cash register, a vase with flowers, shelves stocked with donut boxes, and a menu sign on the wall. The door has an 'EXIT' sign and visible cars outside.

  • Inside a cafe, a long wooden counter with five wooden stools facing a large window. Outside the window, a parking lot with several white cars and trucks, and trees in the background.

  • Shelves filled with stacked boxes and cartons of baked goods, possibly pizza or bakery products, in a bakery or cafe setting.

  • Interior of a small coffee shop with a display case of pastries, a counter with a coffee machine, menu boards on the wall, and a storage shelf with merchandise. The shop has hanging lights and ceiling fans.

  • A black metal chair with curved backrest next to a wooden table on a gray floor.

  • Display shelf with coffee mugs, hats, t-shirts, hoodies, and coffee-related products in a coffee shop.

  • Interior of a cafe or restaurant with a wall-mounted light fixture, a metal wire shelving unit filled with boxes, and a tan cushioned bench.

A man with glasses, a beard, and a mustache is smiling and standing in a modern kitchen. He is wearing a blue blazer over a white and navy striped shirt. The kitchen features a patterned backsplash, large window, and plants.

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