Shipley Donuts adds Houlihan's veteran to C-suite
A fast-growing donut chain has named a restaurant industry veteran as its new marketing leader.
Bill Leibengood will serve as the next chief marketing officer at Houston-based Shipley Donuts, which was acquired by private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners last summer. At Shipley, Leibengood will focus on developing and implementing marketing strategies that “contribute to same-store sales growth and elevate Shipley’s digital engagement.”
Leibengood has more than 25 years of restaurant marketing and operations leadership. Most recently, he served as the chief operating officer at casual-dining chain Houlihan’s for nearly six years after serving as chief marketing officer. Prior to that, he served as the VP of marketing at Wingstop Restaurants and spent more than a decade at Applebee’s.
"With his deep marketing expertise, Bill will help elevate our brand storytelling through fresh, creative initiatives," said Flynn Dekker, CEO of Shipley Donuts. "He will have significant responsibility for strengthening the authentic guest experience our customers have cherished for nearly 90 years as we expand across the country and share our Texas heritage with new communities."
[READ MORE: Shipley Donuts debuts AI-powered online ordering assistant]
Shipley is currently expanding its footprint nationwide, having opened a record 35 new shops in 2025, including locations in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
“As Shipley continues to scale, disciplined marketing will play a critical role in the company’s next phase of growth,” said Leibengood. “My focus will be on strengthening our marketing capabilities, sharpening our data-driven decision making and ensuring our brand continues to meet guests where they are as we amplify Shipley’s position as the premier donut and kolache destination nationwide.”
Founded in 1936, Shipley Donuts operates more than 385 company-owned and franchised locations across 13 states. The chain is known for its handmade fresh daily donuts and kolaches.
