US-based doughnut company and coffeehouse chain Shipley Do-Nuts has expanded its franchise development opportunities into five US states in the Midwest. 

These five states are Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio.

The company is currently looking for ‘qualified franchise candidates’ to launch its first Midwest sites.

Shipley CEO Flynn Dekker said: “Opening up territories in the Midwest and offering incentives for potential new franchisees is part of our strategic growth plan to expand the brand nationwide, tackling one region at a time to build awareness and density before expanding further.

“Shipley has been extremely well-received in new states such as Maryland and Georgia, which we opened earlier this year.

“This is a great opportunity for potential franchisees to bring the brand to lucrative markets like Cincinnati, St Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis and many more throughout the Midwest.”

The doughnut brand is also running a new incentive programme for potential franchisees.

As per this incentive offer, single-unit franchisees will be able to pay nearly 1% reduced royalties of gross receipts for a year if they open an outlet in the first 14 months of entering their agreements.

Multi-unit franchisees will get royalties cut for one year along with 50% off on the franchise fee on launching more than one outlet within a particular period.  

Shipley currently has 340 locations across 12 US states.

In the second quarter of 2023, the company registered a 10.9% year-on-year rise in same-store sales.

Over the coming five years, it anticipates an almost two-fold growth in its size.

Apart from the Midwest expansion, the company is also partnering with franchisees across the Southeast in Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Florida.