In the heart of National Landing, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sweet scent of warm doughnuts, a story of service, family legacy, and entrepreneurial spirit unfolds. Good Company Doughnuts & Café, helmed by the dynamic sibling duo of Charles Kachadoorian and Kate Murphy, isn’t just another coffee shop – it’s a testament to the American dream, seasoned with a dash of military precision and a heaping helping of family tradition.

Charles Kachadoorian, a veteran who traded his Army career for flour-dusted aprons, and his sister Kate Murphy, a powerhouse with dough in her DNA, have transformed their family’s doughnut-making legacy into a thriving business that’s fast becoming a cornerstone of the community. As we sit down with them amidst the bustle of their National Landing location, it’s clear that Good Company is more than just its name – it’s a philosophy that permeates every aspect of their business.

The roots of Good Company stretch back to 1960s Florida, where Kate’s in-laws, Earl and Shirley Murphy, opened the original Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts in Jupiter. “My mother-in-law was a great cook,” Kate reminisces. “They went around to their new neighbors in Florida and figured out there was a need for a good coffee shop.” This simple start bloomed into a family tradition that would span generations and states.

For Charles, the journey to doughnut entrepreneurship was less direct. After serving in the Army, he found himself working a civilian job in Clarendon. “I was always out checking coffee shops, different restaurants, trying to find gems no one knows about,” Charles explains. His quest for the perfect doughnut led him to a realization: there was a gap in the market for high-quality, handcrafted doughnuts in the area.

The siblings’ paths converged in 2016 when Charles convinced Kate to bring her doughnut expertise to the DC area. “We wanted to do something with specialty coffee, Kate’s doughnuts, and create an all-day café,” Charles shares. In April 2019, their vision became reality with the opening of their first location in Ballston.

What sets Good Company apart is their unwavering commitment to quality and variety, evident in every aspect of their 24-hour operation. With 40-45 varieties of classic and cake doughnuts available daily, each one hand-cut and crafted, their process is a testament to artisanal dedication. “It’s like Santa’s factory every day,” Charles muses, describing the scene of their diligent ‘elves’ hand-frosting each doughnut. The magic happens round the clock – bakers work through the night, while the day prep team handcrafts all the frostings, glazes, ganaches, and crumb toppings. This meticulous approach yields impressive results. “This past Saturday, we made 327 pounds of doughnuts,” Kate proudly states. From the best-selling Classic Glazed to unique creations like Basil Raspberry, and even vegan-friendly Sourdough Yeast-Raised varieties, Good Company offers something for every palate. They’ve even expanded their repertoire to include a new line of cookies, ensuring their display case is a panorama of sweet temptations.

Even with such a wide array of options, Kate and Charles have their personal favorites that speak to both their palates and their past. Kate’s go-to is the chocolate cake doughnut with glaze on the outside. For Charles, the Fried Doughknot holds a special place in his heart. “When we were growing up in New Hampshire, there was this place called The Bond,” Charles reminisces. “It was a video game spot where you could get fried dough – pizza dough fried and covered in hot butter and cinnamon sugar.” The Fried Doughknot at Good Company is Charles’ homage to those after-school treats, recreating the exact taste that brings him right back to those carefree days. It’s this blend of nostalgia and innovation that makes Good Company’s offerings truly special.

While doughnuts may be their claim to fame, Good Company has blossomed into a full-service café with a menu that’s just as tempting as their pastries. From breakfast sandwiches featuring house-braised pork belly with zesty lime crema to lunch offerings like jalapeño-spiked steak and cheese, each item is made to order with the same dedication to quality as their doughnuts. The bread, sourced from local artisan Baguette Republic, elevates every sandwich. “Dakhman, the French-trained master baker there, has been a great mentor to us,” Kate shares. The entire menu, including their indulgent lemon ricotta pancakes, is available all day. Arlington locations offer a popular Tuesday family dinner special. “Our spaghetti and meatballs night is a great deal and brings the community together,” Charles adds proudly. While Virginia locations close early evening, their DC spot serves until 9 PM, offering a cozy 10-seat bar. Paired with Intelligentsia Coffee, Good Company ensures a café experience that keeps customers returning from sunup to sundown.

With Charles being a veteran, Charles and Kate are passionate about giving back to the military community. They’ve organized fundraisers for veteran causes, raising thousands for suicide prevention. This year, they plan to continue their tradition of offering special Veteran’s Day doughnut assortments, with proceeds supporting veteran-focused charities.

Their commitment to the community extends beyond veteran causes. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Good Company stepped up, providing free meals for school-aged children and even giving away essential items like flour, yeast, and yes, toilet paper. “The community was super supportive of us, so we wanted to give back,” Kate explains.

As Good Company expands – now boasting four locations with plans for more – Charles and Kate remain hands-on, ensuring consistency across all stores while adapting to each neighborhood’s unique character. “We have a regional chef who goes to each location,” Kate explains, “and Charles and I are in the cafés every day.” The siblings are particularly thrilled about their upcoming expansion to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in DC, which promises to be their biggest location yet.

When asked about their favorite part of running Good Company, both siblings light up. “We get to work with family,” Charles beams. Kate adds, “It’s really a fun thing to have a business and get involved with the community. The interactions with people you’d never meet unless you had this company – our team, our customers – it’s all heart.”

From their veteran-inspired work ethic to their family-rooted recipes, Charles and Kate have created more than just a doughnut shop – they’ve built a community hub where every customer is treated like family. As Good Company continues to grow, one thing remains constant: their commitment to quality, community, and of course, really good doughnuts.

So the next time you’re in National Landing, stop by Good Company Doughnuts & Café. Whether you’re in the mood for a Classic Glazed, a unique Basil Raspberry creation, or just a great cup of coffee, you’ll find it served with a side of warmth and a sprinkle of precision. As the holiday season approaches, indulge in their festive flavors like Cider Cake, Pumpkin, and Spiced Pear. Don’t forget to pre-order their holiday doughnut trays for your gatherings, or grab some of their special Arlington Turkey Trot donut holes to fuel your run. Join their “Sprinkles” loyalty program for sweet rewards, and remember, you can order ahead for easy pickup through their website. After all, in the Kachadoorian-Murphy family, excellence isn’t just a goal – it’s a time-honored tradition that shines through in every bite, no matter the season.