Shipley Donuts franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Shipley Donuts franchise fee is $40,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $503,461 to $1,024,946, with about $125,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Shipley Donuts FDD.
What are the Shipley Donuts franchise fees and investment?
The Shipley Donuts franchise requires a franchise fee of $40,000 and a total initial investment of $503,461 to $1,024,946. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $40,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $503,461 to $1,024,946 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $125,000 |
| US locations | 366 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Desserts) |
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Franchising since | 1987 |
How does the Shipley Donuts investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Shipley Donuts's minimum investment of $503,461 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 331 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $40,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Shipley Donuts belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Shipley Donuts FDD?
Verify six parts of the Shipley Donuts Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Shipley Donuts discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Shipley Donuts?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Shipley Donuts:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Hurts Donut Company | $35,000 | $504,000 to $825,000 |
| Mr Brews Taphouse | $45,000 | $501,500 to $962,000 |
| Naf-Naf Middle Eastern Grill | $30,000 | $501,000 to $818,700 |
| Gold Star Chili | $10,000 to $50,000 | $506,117 to $1,730,950 |
| Ori'Zaba's | $30,000 | $499,700 to $883,200 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Shipley Donuts franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Shipley Donuts franchise ranges from $503,461 to $1,024,946, including a franchise fee of $40,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Shipley Donuts franchise?
Shipley Donuts lists a minimum of about $125,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Shipley Donuts locations are there?
Shipley Donuts reported 366 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Shipley Donuts been franchising?
Shipley Donuts started offering franchises in 1987 after the company was founded in 1936.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Shipley Donuts and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Shipley Donuts. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.