Ted Ngoy
The Donut King
Ted Ngoy is a Cambodian American entrepreneur and former owner of a chain of donut shops in California, earning him the nickname the "Donut King."
While working a second job at a gas station, Ngoy took notice of a busy local donut shop and inquired of its operators about learning the business. He subsequently received training through an affirmative action program to increase minority hiring within the Winchell's chain of donut shops, and managed a store in Newport Beach where he employed his family. By 1977 he was able to purchase his first donut shop, Christy's Doughnuts, in La Habra.
Ngoy bought additional donut shops in Orange County and began to lease these to Cambodian refugeess. By 1987, Ngoy owned 32 Christy's Doughnuts locations in California.
Ngoy's fortunes improved dramatically, such that by the mid-1980s Ngoy had amassed millions of dollars through his expanding donut shop empire, reported as 50 locations throughout California. In 1985, Ngoy and his wife became American citizens and were enjoying a lavish lifestyle including a million dollar home at Lake Mission Viejo, a vacation home, expensive cars, and vacations to Europe.
Despite the wealth he had built and his importance within his community, Ngoy felt dissatisfied, remarking: "No political life, no religious life, just work, work." By 2005, after large gambling losses and a political career in Cambodia, Ngoy was penniless and living on the porch of a fellow Parkcrest Christian Church parishioner's mobile home.Today, he lives in Phnom Penh working in the real estate business and tells his story of success, failure, and the importance of faith in all aspects of life’s journey.