---
title: "WLOS: Creativity A Key Ingredient in HenDough’s Pandemic Survival"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/8b08d3ad-1caa-4420-8ca6-abcaedecf92b
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/wlos-creativity-a-key-ingredient-in-hendoughs-pandemic-survival-2716184
category: "Bakery & breakfast"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Bakery & breakfast"
published: 2021-07-13T17:12:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T01:22:17.762Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/68e7ac6ce062b80327f775de1d7e4ef73178.jpg
---

# WLOS: Creativity A Key Ingredient in HenDough’s Pandemic Survival

**TL;DR:** HenDough, a restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina, survived the pandemic by adding a walk-up window and making small changes to its business model. The restaurant is now expanding with additional hours and new menu items, and is launching franchising opportunities.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2021-07-13. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/wlos-creativity-a-key-ingredient-in-hendoughs-pandemic-survival-2716184).*

## Story

To say that 2020 was a hard year for restaurants is an understatement, but in a recent segment with WLOS-TV (ABC Affiliate) in Asheville, Paul and Sarah Klaassen, HenDough’ s co-founders, discussed how the unforeseen circumstances of the past year helped the two grow their business.

"We just started pivoting and doing everything that we could to make changes,” said Paul.

Small changes made a big difference, the Klaasens said. After adding a walk-up window when lockdown restrictions were first implemented, it’s since become a permanent feature.

“It works really well so that people who place their orders online can just pick up at the window instead of having to come in and get in line,” said Sarah.

Using federal government relief programs including PPP and EIDL, the Klassens said they were able to add more outdoor seating, create an app for ordering and even maintain their staff during unprecedented times.

As HenDough expands with additional hours and new menu items, the Klaasens are helping their loyal customers push through the hardships of the pandemic by providing a much-needed commodity — comfort food.

"You’ve gotta be creative right now to make it work, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Paul.

HenDough Chicken and Donuts offers a superior, made-from-scratch menu paired with down-home Southern comfort food. After successfully launching a second location in Greenville, South Carolina, HenDough is officially launching franchising opportunities for qualified entrepreneurs. For more information, visit hendough.com

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- restaurant expansion (topic)
- franchising opportunities (topic)
- Greenville (location)
- Asheville (location)
- business model changes (topic)
- pandemic survival (topic)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/wlos-creativity-a-key-ingredient-in-hendoughs-pandemic-survival-2716184). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/8b08d3ad-1caa-4420-8ca6-abcaedecf92b).