Beloved Michigan Doughnut and Burger Chains Merge

Cops and Doughnuts, a well-known doughnut chain based in Clare, Michigan, is merging with Halo Burger, now headquartered in Burton, according to an announcement from Cops and Doughnuts leadership on May 31.

Image: Halo Burger + Cops & Doughnuts | Steve Carmody & Michigan Public

The deal brings in Halo Burger owner and CEO Achille “Ace” DiNello and signals a fresh chapter for the business, said Greg Rynearson, vice president of Cops and Doughnuts, who will now lead communications for the merged venture.

“We were thinking of an exit plan for us… We’ve been at it for 17 years,” Rynearson said. “We reached out looking for the perfect fit. We did not go with the best money, we went with the best fit, and that was Ace.”

Rynearson noted that while DiNello brings a new approach, he remains committed to preserving the culture rooted in Clare.

“His vision for Cops and Doughnuts aligns with ours,” he added.

DiNello, whose background includes years in finance—most notably with Quicken Loans—shifted careers and has since built a portfolio of restaurants and food businesses, according to his LinkedIn profile.

While Rynearson and the original local team still retain “small minority ownership,” he expressed optimism about the brand’s future under its new leadership.