Shipley Do-Nuts franchise
Shipley Do-Nuts is a Houston-born donut chain making glazed donuts and kolaches fresh every day from a recipe dating to 1936. Most shops have a drive-thru and do most of their business in the morning. At the end of 2025 there were 393 Shipley Do-Nuts locations in the US, 381 franchised and 12 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $517K–$855K
- Franchise fee
- $40,000
- Royalty
- 5%
- Locations, 2025
- 393+55 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchisor based in
- Houston, Texas
- Time to open
- 7 to 10 months after signing
- Agreement length
- 10 years
- Territory
- No exclusive territory
- Financing
- None offered
From Shipley Franchise Company LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Shipley Do-Nuts franchise costs
Opening one Shipley Do-Nuts shop, excluding real estate purchase and lease costs costs an estimated $516,512 to $855,147. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Shipley Franchise Company LLC, 2026 filing, page 22
Shipley Do-Nuts franchise fee
The franchise fee is $40,000, for a single shop, plus at least $20,000 on a grand opening campaign. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Shipley Franchise Company LLC, 2026 filing, page 14
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 5% of the previous week's gross sales, paid weekly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 1% of weekly gross sales to the system brand fund, within total advertising of up to 5%. |
Source: Shipley Franchise Company LLC, 2026 filing, page 14
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Shipley Do-Nuts publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports 2025 results for 305 franchised and 9 company shops open the full year. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Shipley Franchise Company LLC, 2026 filing, page 55
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 337 (+11) | 12 | 4 |
| 2024 | 354 (+17) | 11 | 6 |
| 2025 | 381 (+27) | 12 | 7 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Shipley Franchise Company LLC, 2026 filing, page 58
How Shipley Do-Nuts compares
Of the 8 bakery franchises on this site, Shipley Do-Nuts is the 5th cheapest to open and the 7th largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Shipley Do-Nuts | Typical bakery |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $517K | $496K |
| Royalty | 5% | 6% |
| Closed or left per year | 1.7% | 2.1% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +16.9% | +23.8% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 8 of 8 |
Typical is the median across the 8 brands in bakery franchises.
Other bakery franchises
Shipley Do-Nuts franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Shipley Do-Nuts?
7 to 10 months after signing, according to Shipley Do-Nuts's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Shipley Do-Nuts help with financing?
No. Shipley Do-Nuts does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
Do Shipley Do-Nuts franchisees get a protected territory?
No. Shipley Do-Nuts grants the right to run one location but no exclusive area, so another Shipley Do-Nuts can open nearby.
How long is a Shipley Do-Nuts 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 Shipley Do-Nuts growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 72 franchised locations opened and 17 closed or left, a net change of +16.9%. About 1.7% of locations closed or left each year. That is in line with the 2.1% typical for bakery franchises.
How does Shipley Do-Nuts compare with other bakery franchises?
Of the 8 bakery franchises here, Shipley Do-Nuts is the 5th cheapest to open (low end $517K against a $496K median) and the 7th largest by number of locations. Its 5% royalty is below the 6% median.
Does Shipley Do-Nuts say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports 2025 results for 305 franchised and 9 company shops open the full year. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Shipley Do-Nuts based?
Shipley Franchise Company LLC is based in Houston, Texas.