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Shipley Do-Nuts
Shipley Do-Nuts franchises retail shops specializing in the sale of donuts, kolaches, coffee, specialty drinks prepared on-site, and related products and services, operating under a proprietary system with specific recipes, designs, signage, and operational standards. Franchisees can pursue single-unit or multi-unit development agreements to open shops in high-traffic locations like strip malls or standalone sites. The target market is the general public seeking on- and off-premises consumption of these products in a competitive market with other donut, coffee, and bakery chains.
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Franchise Costs
5% royalty + 1% brand fund + $110/mo loyalty program
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 309 Reporting Franchised Shops open for at least a full 16 months as of December 31, 2024.
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $928,180
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Unlock financial performance dataShipley Do-Nuts Franchise Analysis
Ever wondered if a beloved Southern donut chain could deliver sweet returns in a crowded bakery market? Shipley Do-Nuts' latest FDD hints at solid revenue performance through Item 19 disclosures and steady unit growth, backed by SBA financing trends that suggest investor confidence. But with some legal friction in the system, is this the glazed opportunity you've been craving—or a sticky situation?
Item 7 lays out the initial investment from $503,461 to $1,024,946, covering the $40,000 franchise fee, build-out for high-traffic spots like strip malls, equipment, and initial inventory for donuts, kolaches, and coffee. Ongoing fees hit 5% royalty plus 1% brand fund and $110 monthly loyalty program—competitive for fast food. Item 19 shines with average gross revenue of $928,180 and median $849,273 across units, pointing to strong performers but variability that demands prime locations.
System health looks robust: 355 locations up 5% from 337 in 2023, with 48 projected new units, just 1 termination, and 17 transfers showing stability. SBA records 27 loans averaging $666,267, easing entry for qualified buyers. Litigation centers on franchisor wins against non-compliant ex-franchisees for breaches and post-term competition, no major red flags derailing growth under Leichtman Capital Partners. For multi-unit potential in the $1M range, Shipley's data stacks up well against donut rivals if you nail operations.
Analysis based on the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How Shipley Do-Nuts Compares
Key Insights
- Higher than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Food
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shipley Do-Nuts Current | $503K – $1.0M | $40K | 5.0% | 355 |
| MCDONALD'S | $1.5M – $2.6M | $45K | N/A | 12,772 |
| LITTLE CAESARS | $377K – $1.8M | $20K | 6.0% | 3,788 |
| AFC | $45K – $151K | $6K | 9.5% | 3,572 |
| KFC (NON-TRADITIONAL) | $1.2M – $4.2M | $45K | N/A | 3,404 |
| SONIC DRIVE-IN | $1.5M – $2.5M | $15K | 5.0% | 3,120 |
Fast Food Average 132 franchises | $602K – $1.6M | $35K | 6.1% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 132 Fast Food franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Shipley Do-Nuts franchisees (2018 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
27 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
360 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
360 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Primarily breach of contract, trademark infringement, and unfair competition claims by franchisor against former franchisees for non-compliance, failure to de-identify post-termination, and continued competition, with counterclaims alleging wrongful termination and violations of the Arkansas Franchise Practices Act. One concluded case involving lease disputes tied to franchisee non-compliance and termination, and one recent breach of franchise agreement.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
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Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a Shipley Do-Nuts franchise ranges from $503,461 to $1,024,946. This includes a franchise fee of $40,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
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