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Who is the ideal Shipley Donuts franchisee?

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We’re looking for new Shipley Donut franchise owners who are dedicated to operational excellence and committed to customer service and product quality.You should have an entrepreneurial spirit as well as sales, marketing, restaurant, and/or retail experience. Previous business success and management experience are required. We’ve found that people with the following traits tend to make the best franchisees:
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You’re a people personWe’re looking for candidates who love people as much as we do. Our franchisees are customer focused, friendly, and involved in their community.
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You’re a leaderOur franchisees have strong leadership skills, setting an example and holding themselves accountable for the decisions they make. They are flexible, inclusive, and put honesty and integrity above all else.
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You’re drivenYou won’t succeed unless you’re passionate about what you do. Shipley franchisees have a strong work ethic and are motivated, energetic, and goal oriented.

How much does a Shipley franchise cost?

The donut franchise segment has some of the lowest start-up costs in the QSR industry, and Shipley Do-Nuts franchisees reap more financial rewards from their successful locations than they would likely see in many other QSR franchises.
ESTIMATED START-UP COSTS PER STORE:

$520-$856k

AVERAGE INITIAL INVESTMENT(includes equipment, working capital, and initial local budget)

$40K

FRANCHISE FEE(add $10K per additional commitment if signing a multi-shop development agreement)

3%

Marketing Fund(1% to the national ad fund, 2% spent locally)

5%

ROYALTY FEE

< 4 year

PAYBACK
Front view of a Shipley Do-Nuts and Kolaches store with bright signage, large windows, and outdoor seating area—a testament to the brand's inviting atmosphere and efficient Do-Nut franchise cost that makes owning your sweet escape a feasible dream.Front view of a Shipley Do-Nuts and Kolaches store with bright signage, large windows, and outdoor seating area—a testament to the brand's inviting atmosphere and efficient Do-Nut franchise cost that makes owning your sweet escape a feasible dream.Front view of a Shipley Do-Nuts and Kolaches store with bright signage, large windows, and outdoor seating area—a testament to the brand's inviting atmosphere and efficient Do-Nut franchise cost that makes owning your sweet escape a feasible dream.
Shipley employee with rack full of original glazed donuts

Your path to franchise ownership

Follow these easy steps to join the Shipley family:
1
Initial InquirySubmit an inquiry.
2
Connect with Franchise Sales TeamTalk with a member of our franchise sales team to learn more about the brand and the franchise opportunity in your market(s) of interest.
3
Candidate Due DiligenceReview the FDD, complete a franchise ownership application, and conduct an in-depth review of the market(s) of interest.
4
Attend Discovery DayVisit our Houston Support Center to meet our leadership team, learn from our department leaders, and visit a local Shipley Do-Nut shop.
5
Franchise AwardedSign a Multi-Shop Development Agreement and/or Franchise Agreement for your first location.
6
Site Selection, Construction, TrainingWork hand-in-hand with our full-service real estate, construction, and new shop opening teams to go from signing your Franchise Agreement to opening your first shop.
7
Grand OpeningCoordinate with our local shop marketing team to create a grand opening plan to build community awareness as you open the doors of your first Shipley Do-Nuts shop.

Let's get started

Where would you like to open your shops?
Do you have liquid assets of $225,000 or more to invest?
Do you have a total net worth of $750,000 or more?
Are you currently an owner of other franchises?
Have you owned and operated a business?
Top 50% Performing Shops Average Net Sales (153 shops) – Average Net Sales. EBITDA (12 Company-owned shops). Information provided in 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) – Version Dated April 30, 2026 © 2026 Shipley Do-Nuts. All Rights Reserved.