Shipley Donuts marks 90 years with special menu items and targeted franchise expansion

Shipley Donuts is marking its 90th birthday with limited-time menu items and targeted franchise growth. The brand's anniversary campaign runs through Oct. 18 and combines product promotions, a temporary pricing offer and a loyalty bonus window. Parallel to the celebration, Shipley signed multiunit franchise agreements that expand its footprint into Michigan and Ohio, and continue growth in existing regions.

The 90th-anniversary program runs through Oct. 18 and includes:

• Birthday Bullseye: a Shipley donut described as filled with colorful sprinkles, topped with strawberry icing and more sprinkles.
• 1936 Shipley Favorites Box: a limited-time pairing that pairs a donut with any kolache starting at $4.
• 90-cent glazed donuts: a temporary price point offered during the celebration period.

The offers mix a novelty product rollout with value pricing and a loyalty incentive intended to drive repeat visits during the anniversary window.

• Target markets: Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties in Metro Detroit.
• First store timing: the initial Michigan location is scheduled to open in late first quarter 2027.
• Build cadence: the agreement calls for three additional locations per year for the next four years, equating to steady expansion across the franchise term.

Shipley also finalized a three-unit franchise agreement to enter Ohio. The chain now operates more than 390 franchised and company-owned restaurants across 13 states and is actively offering franchise opportunities in the South, Southeast and Midwest for qualified operators.

Shipley CEO Flynn Dekker commented on the Michigan deal, saying Hole Lotta Dough brings local expertise and Houston-to-Detroit connections to introduce the brand in a new market.

What this means for franchisees and customers

For franchisees: the new agreements show Shipley pursuing measured, multiunit growth in specific metropolitan areas rather than scattershot openings. The Detroit agreement's steady cadence (one opening in Q1 2027, then three per year) provides a predictable development timeline for the operator group and the brand.

For customers: the 90th-anniversary LTOs and the loyalty-point bonus create reasons to visit now. The combination of a novelty donut (Birthday Bullseye), a value box, low-priced glazed donuts and a loyalty window targets both one-time visits and repeat purchase behavior over a monthlong period.

• Sept. 18–Oct. 18: bonus loyalty points on every purchase.
• Through Oct. 18: anniversary LTOs and 90-cent glazed offer active.
• Late Q1 2027: first Shipley location planned to open in Metro Detroit under the Hole Lotta Dough agreement.

Shipley is using its 90th anniversary as a dual play: short-term customer-facing offers to drive sales and loyalty, and multiunit franchise agreements to push geographic expansion into the Midwest. The Michigan and Ohio deals expand the brand's presence beyond its existing 13-state footprint while maintaining a controlled, multiunit rollout schedule.