Another part of the East Coast is about to get a taste of one of Texas’ biggest brands. Continuing its nationwide expansion, Shipley Do-Nuts is bringing its signature kolaches and doughnuts to Raleigh, N.C.
Shipley Do-Nuts announced Thursday it had signed four franchise agreements to bring nine new locations to several markets—including two Raleigh locations operated by Plexus Raleigh LLC. The others include three new franchise shops in Cincinnati, Ohio, three in Stillwater, Okla., and its first nonprofit franchise in South Dallas.
“The first half of 2026 has been one of the strongest growth periods for Shipley Do-Nuts, bringing together franchise development, thoughtful menu innovation and national recognition,” said Shipley CEO Flynn Dekker in a statement. “We’re especially proud of launching our first nonprofit franchise partnership, expanding into the Midwest and continuing to build momentum across the Southeast. These milestones reflect the strength of our leadership team’s strategic vision and our ability to connect with entrepreneurs nationwide.”
Shipley Do-Nuts was founded in 1936, when Lawrence Shipley Sr. opened Shipley Cream Glazed Do-Nuts as a wholesale bakery in Houston. Since, the doughnut and kolache brand has grown to more than 390 franchised and company-owned restaurants across 13 states.
Official opening dates have not yet been given for the new locations, but the Raleigh shops will mark the second and third Shipley Do-Nuts storefronts in North Carolina. The chain made its Tar Heel State debut in Concord in 2025. At that time, Shipley teased five additional Charlotte-area locations in its “development pipeline” while actively recruiting franchisees for additional markets throughout the state, including Greensboro, Raleigh-Durham and Winston-Salem.