Donut fans have been left shocked after Galactic Donuts’ Toowoomba store abruptly closed its doors.

The Toowoomba business was one of six Galactic Donuts locations in Queensland.

The brand was launched by Eagle Boys and Pizza Guardians founder Tom Potter in March 2022. The Toowoomba business opened its doors in February 2023 in two locations: the permanent site in Kearney Spring, and a pop-up store at Newtown.

The Toowoomba store was initially closed temporarily for the festive period, and was due to reopen on January 8, however, according to The Chronicle, the store has since been stripped bare.

Mr Potter told The Chronicle that the Toowoomba Galactic Donuts Business Director Nathan Egan had made the decision to close the doors as he was at risk of trading insolvent.

“The other stores in Queensland are doing well, but Toowoomba had a sluggish response from customers,” he said.

“We had a third of the uptake in Toowoomba compared to our other stores.”

The pop-up store closed in 2023 following the expiration of the lease, however, these customers didn’t move on to the Kearney Spring store.

“We know from our research that people are actually prepared to drive 4-5km to our businesses,” Mr Potter said to The Chronicle.

“They come in after school, pick up a treat and when we moved to Kearney Spring, the store did not get a the kick across from Newtown.”

Mr Potter said all staff and suppliers had been paid ahead of the business being placed into liquidation in the coming weeks.

“This has been a very difficult Christmas for Nathan [Egan] and his family,” he said.

Mr Potter, a baker by trade, said he had initially decided to build a doughnut-only brand in the Sunshine State after witnessing the “doughnut craze” taking place in Victoria, in addition to the popularity of the doughnuts being created at his own Brisbane-based bakery, Crusty Devil Bakery, which was opened in 2011.

Galactic Donuts will still be operating in its five other locations: Morayfield, Caloundra, Townsville, Fortitude Valley, and Rockhampton.

Image: Galactic Donuts