Duck Donuts franchise
Duck Donuts makes warm donuts to order and lets customers choose their own coatings, toppings and drizzles, with coffee to go with them. The brand began in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. At the end of 2025 there were 146 Duck Donuts locations in the US, 145 franchised and 1 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $394K–$629K
- Franchise fee
- $40,000
- Royalty
- 6%
- Locations, 2025
- 146+34 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchisor based in
- Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Time to open
- About 12 months after signing
- Agreement length
- 10 years
- Territory
- Limited protection
- Financing
- None offered
From Duck Donuts Holdings, LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Duck Donuts franchise costs
Opening one Duck Donuts shop, excluding tenant allowance costs an estimated $394,150 to $628,700. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Duck Donuts Holdings, LLC, 2026 filing, page 20
Duck Donuts franchise fee
The franchise fee is $40,000, for a first shop ($30,000 for additional shops under a development agreement). You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Duck Donuts Holdings, LLC, 2026 filing, page 12
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 6% of weekly gross sales, paid weekly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 2% of gross sales to the brand fund (up to 3%), plus at least 1% on local marketing. |
Source: Duck Donuts Holdings, LLC, 2026 filing, page 13
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Duck Donuts publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports 2025 results for 105 franchised shops open the full year. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Duck Donuts Holdings, LLC, 2026 filing, page 47
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 133 (+22) | 1 | 5 |
| 2024 | 143 (+10) | 1 | 18 |
| 2025 | 145 (+2) | 1 | 21 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Duck Donuts Holdings, LLC, 2026 filing, page 48
How Duck Donuts compares
Of the 8 bakery franchises on this site, Duck Donuts is the 2nd cheapest to open and the smallest by number of locations.
| Measure | Duck Donuts | Typical bakery |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $394K | $496K |
| Royalty | 6% | 6% |
| Closed or left per year | 10.9% | 2.1% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +30.6% | +23.8% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 8 of 8 |
Typical is the median across the 8 brands in bakery franchises.
Other bakery franchises
Duck Donuts franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Duck Donuts?
About 12 months after signing, according to Duck Donuts's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Duck Donuts help with financing?
No. Duck Donuts does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
Do Duck Donuts franchisees get a protected territory?
Partly. You get some protection, but not an exclusive territory.
How long is a Duck Donuts franchise agreement?
The initial term is 10 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Duck Donuts growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 80 franchised locations opened and 44 closed or left, a net change of +30.6%. About 10.9% of locations closed or left each year. That is above the 2.1% typical for bakery franchises.
How does Duck Donuts compare with other bakery franchises?
Of the 8 bakery franchises here, Duck Donuts is the 2nd cheapest to open (low end $394K against a $496K median) and the smallest by number of locations. Its 6% royalty is in line with the 6% median.
Does Duck Donuts say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports 2025 results for 105 franchised shops open the full year. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Duck Donuts based?
Duck Donuts Holdings, LLC is based in Hershey, Pennsylvania.