THE MAGLEBY’S STORYA Utah valley family that’s been serving the community with the best food for over 40 years.
Loving Life – And Food Too
Forty years ago, retired dentist David “Doc” Parkinson (1930–2014) had a dream to share truly great food with the world. That dream became the original Magleby’s restaurant, where for more than 20 years Doc personally greeted guests at the door with world-famous breadsticks and a warm smile.
Our Utah Valley family has been serving the community ever since. Thanks to Lenora Parkinson—Doc’s wonderful wife of 50 years—Magleby’s dessert recipes have become as legendary as the breadsticks.
Doc lived with passion and purpose, never doing anything halfway. Whether riding 400,000 miles on his three motorcycles, playing 127 holes of golf in a single day, or asking himself daily, “What Would Christ Do?”—he poured his heart into everything. That same passion has always been at the heart of Magleby’s: presentation, taste, and service in perfect harmony.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
In 2008, Doc’s son Richard Parkinson stepped in to carry the legacy forward—and expand it. Recognizing the growing demand for Magleby’s beyond the restaurant’s four walls, Richard launched Magleby’s Weddings and Catering. What began as a small addition to the restaurant has grown into a full-scale operation serving events across the entire state of Utah.
Under Richard’s leadership, Magleby’s catering has become known for combining restaurant-quality cuisine with exceptional event service. From intimate gatherings to large-scale weddings, he has built a team that delivers the same care, creativity, and culinary excellence that Doc made famous—only now to more people, in more places, than ever before.
Today, Magleby’s stands as a Utah institution—not just because of great food, but because of the vision of two generations who believe that excellence should always be shared.
Expanding Our Arms
In 2023, Danielle and David Doty bought Magleby’s with the intent to grow the catering and restaurant businesses while honoring the restaurant’s legacy. David’s journey to the food industry was anything but traditional—after a successful career in finance working at JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and in private equity, he realized his true passion was building and growing small businesses. While earning his JD and MBA at BYU, he purchased his first food-related business and found that his passion was working on Main Street (instead of Wall Street). Today, through their company Kensington Asset Management, David and Danielle are committed to making Magleby’s—and other beloved Utah food concepts—shine. Based in Kamas, Utah, the Dotys and their five children embody the family-centered spirit that has always been at the heart of Magleby’s.
