Houston-based Shipley Do-Nuts will expand its presence in Florida and Tennessee under a 22-unit franchise agreement with the hospitality arm of private investment platform Virentes Partners Group.
“We exhaustively researched dozens of franchise concepts to expand our hospitality portfolio, and Shipley came out on top with craveable and highly differentiated products and an outstanding leadership team,” Virentes Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer Jim D’Aquila said in a company press release. “The Shipley team is committed to the brand and to franchisee success, with exceptional unit economics, a strong business model and opportunities for growth. Shipley’s products are the finest in the category, and their ‘Make Life Delicious’ slogan rings true with the millions that have experienced the brand.”
Virentes plans to open three Shipley Do-Nuts locations in 2025 in Jacksonville and Tampa, Florida, and Nashville.
“One of our key expansion strategies has been to partner with experienced multi-unit, multi-brand operators such as Virentes, who are ready to hit the ground running to grow the Shipley brand and open units,” Shipley Senior Vice President of Franchise Development Keith Sizemore said in the release. “Their commitment to operational excellence will ensure that their locations will execute on our brand values and deliver a great product and experience to new customers.”
Shipley topped 360 units this year and is on track to achieve back-to-back years of record openings.
