Papa's Donuteria is a restaurant- and time-management simulation game with food service and decoration elements. The Powder Point amusement park has opened with a new roller coaster called the Sky Ninja. The player, via their avatar, receives an offer to earn tips, ride the rides, and jump to the front of the Sky Ninja line if they take a job working as a cook, cashier, server and manager of one of Papa's Donuteria locations.
The player takes orders from customers at the Order Station counter or booths. They must then make donuts to order at the Dough, Fry and Build stations. They must pick the right kind of dough, cut it to a specific shape, place it in the fryer, fry each side for a specific amount of time using horizontal timers to guide them, drop the fried donuts on a finish tray, drag the pastries to a build tray, apply icing or powder sugar to one side of each item, and then finish with different drizzles and toppings.
Papa's Donuteria rewards the player via customer reviews that turn percentage levels into points and tips. At the end of each day, they also receive a daily service quality rating. If they perform well, they receive a new rank, such as Trainee, Mallow Master, Long John Pro, Mousse Master or Chocolate Champ, and eventually a paid helper. They also receive new customers, donut types, drizzles and toppings.
The player can enjoy mini games, such as find hidden objects, pop balloons with darts, and turn a prize spin wheel, at Foodini's Mini Game Show. They receive clothes and decorations as prizes. They can change the appearance and clothes of their avatar. They can also view a parade, visit the shop and use decorations to update the restaurant's lobby. During holidays, they can introduce seasonal products to customers.
