Franchising

Shipley Do-Nuts opening 30 shops in Georgia

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May 9, 2022

Shipley Do-Nuts, makers of gourmet, made-fresh-daily donuts, plans to add 30 locations in the state of Georgia, with the first location planned for Duluth in Q4, according to a company press release.

Founded in 1936 in Houston, Shipley Do-Nuts offer more than 60 varieties of freshly made donuts, including its iconic plain glazed, as well as coffee, kolaches, cinnamon rolls, bear claws, fritters and more. The brand is expanding into states across the Southeast and recently entered South Carolina, with deals also signed to open up to 25 locations in Maryland.

"It's been our stated goal to get Georgia into our new store pipeline, so having these deals inked is an important milestone for our growth strategy," Shipley CEO Clifton Rutledge said in the release. "We welcome our new Georgia franchisees to the Shipley family and are counting the days until our first Georgia shop opens."

The expansion is driven by two franchisee groups. Dallas-based ARFD Foods LLC, operated by Andrew Robertson and Franklin Diaz, signed an agreement in mid-March to open up to 25 Shipley Do-Nuts locations, including the first one in Duluth. Diaz, who is originally from the Atlanta area, discovered the brand when he moved to Dallas.

"I was impressed with the brand love Shipley has in Texas and after meeting with the company's new leadership, I knew I wanted to be part of growing the brand in new markets," Diaz said in the release. "Atlanta is a dynamic city that I believe will embrace this iconic and beloved Southern brand."

Also joining Shipley is Oziel Rodriguez, operating as Sweet Donuts Investments Inc., who has agreements to open five Shipley Do-Nuts locations. He currently owns Coal Mountain Package Store and Palapas Bar and Grill in Cumming, Georgia.

"My brother worked at a Shipley Do-Nuts in McAllen, Texas, and when he moved to Atlanta, he couldn't stop raving about their do-nuts," Rodriguez said in the release. "I was looking for a brand to expand my business portfolio and was immediately sold on the high-quality product and the outstanding Shipley team that provides a high level of support as a top franchisor."

Shipley plans to add more than 350 locations throughout Texas, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, Florida and Colorado over the next five years.