Flip Flops Donut Shop — Restaurant in Emerald Isle

Alright so I work here and I just kinda wanna address some of the issues (that’s why I’m giving it a 1 star, so people will look at it). Issue #1- Wait time: Wait time is something out of our control for the most part, in the mornings, we start with a large stock of our decorated donuts, but after about thirty minutes to an hour we run out of those and have to make all of them per order. We also have many customers so we sell out around 9:45-10:15am (recently it’s more like 9:15-9:45am). We also are not able to make any in the mornings when we are getting low because these are yeast donuts so they take about 4-6 hours to make. Issue #2- Employees: Many people have commented about how sometimes the employees are just standing around. We do sometimes stand around doing nothing because we have to wait for the guy in the back to make the donuts so we can box them up and give them out. We also have to hold orders from time to time because we are very backed up or because we might run out without being able to fill an order. We are continuing to try to find ways to improve our wait times. And also pre-orders do not have to wait in line, they just need to tell one of us that you have a pre-order and we will go get it for you (pre-orders must be made 24 hours in advance). Issue #3- Cleanliness: There are some reviews talking about how we don’t wear masks and we eat near the donuts but recently we have been required to wear masks and we are no longer aloud to eat unless we are in the back away from any sales products. We also keep our hands sanitized and the two boys with longer hair (myself included) are required to wear hats. Our female employee is required to keep her hair tied back as well. We also wear gloves when touching the donuts and throw away any donuts that touch anyone’s hands or body in any way.

I also saw a complaint about old ice cream machinery but it is not old and we use them in the evening from 5-8pm selling Gelato and Sorbet.

I wrote this because I felt like some things needed to be talked about. My boss did not say anything about me writing this so this is my honest statement. We are sorry about any bad experiences you have had and we hope we can change...

I was very disappointed after my most recent trip to Flip Flop Donuts in its new location. I am only posting this so that they can improve, because I have previously loved having these donuts in Emerald Isle. We went on a weekday morning around 8. There was a short line, but it only took a few minutes to get to the register. Then we waited almost 20 minutes for our donuts, with one person in line in front of us and one behind the only people in the store. While waiting, we watched the boys making donuts and it seems like they need to be working more quickly and efficiently to make more donuts so that they’re ready and not being made while you wait. After said 20 minutes, we were called to the counter and the girl informed me that they were one donut short of my dozen glazed order but could substitute a buttercreme filled. At that moment, another girl working said “who is this box of dozen glazed for?” Both workers looked confused and said it’s not theirs. A lady waiting who ordered after us said “I’m waiting for a dozen glazed!”, and it was given to her. So they didn’t have enough glazed for me, but she got hers. Thankfully, a tray of glazed came out and she finished my order. Once arriving home, my disappointment continued. The chocolate icing on the Boston cream donuts was a disgrace, smeared on about half the donut. Most of the filled donuts didn’t have enough filling. The filling in the Apple donut was extremely bland. Also, the jam filled donuts had nothing at all on them, no powdered sugar or anything. The maple bacon donut was much different than it had been at the last location. It was actually just one of their cinnamon twists with a maple bacon icing poured all over it. Previously it had been a large, oval donut dipped in maple icing and sprinkled with bacon. I don’t think this new one was worth $3.50. I hope that Flip Flop donuts can improve their efficiency and teach their workers to make donuts of a higher quality so that I can enjoy...

What a shame. Earlier today I took my children and a friend to Flip Flops on Emerald Isle. We have enjoyed this store for years. Apparently they have had an increase in shoplifting as I was informed they needs to hold my beach backpack as I was not allowed to bring it in the store. I thought it was sad that people would steal from them and did not hesitate to give them my bag. After all this only freed my hands to shop with the children. We spent about $120 between the 3 of us at the store.

While I was there I noticed they carried a gift I had received for my wedding. I had received two of the same items and asked if I could exchange the item for something else if I came back before they closed at 6 pm. I was told absolutely I could get a credit and I set aside a pillow as a substitute for the duplicate gift.

I returned at 515 and was certain to leave my beach bag in the car to comply with the rules. I went to the counter where the same lady was who was holding the pillow for me. A much less polite lady informed me could not exchange the mugs as I did not have a receipt. I asked why I was not told about this when I was in earlier. (Ironically they do not even offer gift receipts).

Both women working at the store were beyond rude. I explained how my mother lives on the island and we always stop by their store. I assured them this would be the last time.

It is a shame when people become so jaded they assume the worst of everyone. I can't imagine that any of my beach friends and family will find the same joy we used to have when shopping at Flip Flops.

PS. The purchase I referenced was made only one day before. The ladies recalled the items being purchased as it was unusual to get married on a...