Shipley eyes big expansion in the South
Shipley Do-Nuts is touting a successful first half of 2024 in which it opened several new stores and added dozens of units to its development pipeline.
The Houston-based donut chain accelerated its rate of store openings through the second quarter, opening eight new stores in the first six months of the year. Shipley added over 80 units to its development pipeline, with openings planned later this year in Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia, the latter two being new states for the chain.
Shipley closed 11 multi-unit development deals through the second quarter. Last year, the chain announced its goal to double its store count over the next five years.
Looking ahead for future locations, Shipley says it is focusing on growing in Georgia, with a potential for 90 units in the Atlanta area, and also sees opportunities in Savannah, Augusta and Columbus.
North Carolina is another high-growth market for the chain, with 95 potential units for development in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Shipley also has available territories throughout the Southeast, the Mid-South and the Midwest.
"With our faster development cycle, new stores now in the pipeline and some major multi-unit deals in the works, we are on pace to meet our aggressive growth goals," said Shipley senior VP of franchise development Keith Sizemore. "We're seeing tenured franchisees growing again while also attracting new franchisees to our system with our updated business model, proven profitability and product line that is perfect for multi-unit operators who want to diversify their portfolios."
Founded in 1936, Shipley operates more than 350 company-owned and franchised restaurants across 12 states, and offers customers more than 60 varieties of freshly made “do-nuts,” including its kolaches, cinnamon rolls, bear claws, fritters and more.
