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We extract fees, Item 19 financials, franchisee contacts, SBA default rates, litigation, and outlet data from every FDD — so you can compare brands in minutes, not months. Used by multi-unit operators, consultants, and franchise development teams.

Shipley Do-Nuts

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.

355locations
$503K–$1025K
Since 1987
Food & BeverageHouston, TXLeichtman Capital Partners, LLCwww.shipleydonuts.comDisclaimer

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Franchise Costs

Franchise Fee
$40,000
Initial Investment
$503,461 – $1,024,946
Royalty Rate
5.00%
Brand Fund
1.00%
Fixed Monthly Fees
$110 – $110

5% royalty + 1% brand fund + $110/mo loyalty program

Financial Performance


Item 19 Financial Performance

Average Gross Revenue
$928,180
Median Gross Revenue
$849,273
Top Quartile Revenue
$1,466,147
Bottom Quartile Revenue
$488,649

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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Shipley 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
FranchiseInvestmentFeeRoyaltyLocations
Shipley Do-Nuts
Current
$503K – $1.0M$40K5.0%355
MCDONALD'S$1.5M – $2.6M$45KN/A12,772
LITTLE CAESARS$377K – $1.8M$20K6.0%3,788
AFC$45K – $151K$6K9.5%3,572
KFC (NON-TRADITIONAL)$1.2M – $4.2M$45KN/A3,404
SONIC DRIVE-IN$1.5M – $2.5M$15K5.0%3,120
Fast Food Average
132 franchises
$602K – $1.6M$35K6.1%

* 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

Top States
1TX
293
2AR
25
3MS
8
4LA
8
5TN
5
6CO
4
7MD
3
8OK
3
9FL
2
10SC
2
11GA
1
12AL
1

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SBA Loan History


Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Shipley Do-Nuts franchisees (20182025)

Total Loans
27
Average Loan
$666,267
Total Volume
$18.0M
Default Rate
0.0%

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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Franchisee Contacts

360 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.

360 Contacts Available

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Due Diligence


Litigation (Item 3)

Franchisee Cases9

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)

Bankruptcy HistoryNo
No bankruptcy history reported

System Health (Item 20)

Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year

Terminations
1
Non-Renewals
0
Reacquired
0
Ceased Ops
5
Transfers
17
Sold to Franchisees
1
Projected New
48

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Frequently 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.