Shipley Donuts Enters Michigan, Signs 15-unit Agreement with Auburn Hills Franchisee
Posted By: DBUSINESS on August 12, 2026. For more information, please click here to read the source article.
Shipley Donuts in Houston, which offers fresh, handmade daily donuts and kolaches, has announced its Michigan debut through a 15-unit franchise agreement with Hole Lotta Dough in Auburn Hills.
The agreement will bring Shipley Donuts to Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties, with the first location targeted for late Q1 2027. The agreement establishes plans to open three additional shops per year for the next four years, resulting in 15 new stores over a five-year development period.
Overall, Shipley Donuts has more than 390 franchised and company-owned restaurants across 13 states.
Founded in 1936, Shipley offers multiple varieties of fresh, handmade-daily donuts, including its signature glazed donut, which is cut into its iconic hexagon shape before glazing.
Every Shipley shop is a working bakery, with bakers arriving at 3 a.m. to make the first batch of fresh donuts and kolaches.
Shipley will also introduce metro Detroit to Texas kolaches, pronounced “kuh-LAH-cheese.” The handmade breakfast sandwiches feature such ingredients as sausage, egg, bacon, jalapeno, and cheese, and wrapped in fresh dough and baked.
Coffee options include a Shift Starter hot drip coffee and espresso-based drinks like the Classic Glazed Latte featuring glazed donut flavor, cold foam, and donut crumbles, available hot or iced.
Members of Hole Lotta Dough’s leadership team grew up in Houston, and they have more than 20 years of experience in metro Detroit’s gas and convenience store industry. The company is now diversifying its portfolio as Shipley’s first Michigan franchise partner.
“Hole Lotta Dough brings the local expertise and Houston-to-Detroit connections to bring Shipley to life the right way in a brand-new market,” says Flynn Dekker, CEO of Shipley Donuts. “This partnership is a testament to our franchise growth strategy, and we’re excited to introduce metro Detroit communities to the fresh donuts and kolaches.”
Shipley Donuts continues to expand beyond its Houston roots. Most recently, Shipley announced it will enter Ohio with a three-unit franchise agreement in Cincinnati.
Shipley’s earned a No. 77 ranking on the 2026 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, its third consecutive appearance. The company also ranked No. 142 on the 2026 Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurants list, marking its second consecutive year on the list.
Shipley Donuts franchise opportunities are available throughout the South, Southeast, and Midwest for qualified operators.
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