FRANCHISE RESALES

Assorted Duck Donuts on a plate and a rubber duck on a blue background.

Buy a Duck Donuts Franchise

Duck Donuts is a fast-casual donut and coffee franchise built around a made-to-order concept, where customers watch their cake donuts cooked, dipped in glaze, topped and finished on the spot. The first shop opened in 2007 in the beach town of Duck, North Carolina, and the company began franchising in 2013.

The business runs on a brick-and-mortar, territory-based retail model with multiple dayparts, drawing breakfast, snack, dessert and drink sales across the day. Customers range from morning commuters to families treating their children, and the simple menu avoids the bulky, costly equipment of many food concepts. The brand has grown to well over 100 locations across the United States, with a presence internationally, and is headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Founded by Russ DiGilio, Duck Donuts has been backed by private-equity firm NewSpring Capital since 2021. The brand differentiates itself through the customization of its warm, freshly made donuts and a family-friendly in-store experience that encourages repeat visits.

Latest Resales

Why buy a Duck Donuts Franchise?

Duck Donuts pairs the broad, everyday appeal of donuts with a customizable, made-to-order concept that gives the brand a clear point of difference in a crowded category. For an owner, the multiple-daypart model spreads sales across breakfast, snack, dessert and drink occasions, while a streamlined menu keeps operations and equipment relatively simple compared with full-service food concepts.

Buying a Duck Donuts franchise also means stepping into an established system with corporate operations, training and marketing teams, private-equity backing through NewSpring Capital, and a recognizable consumer brand. A resale specifically offers the chance to acquire a unit with existing equipment, trained staff, a built customer base and a trading history, rather than carrying the cost and timeline of a new buildout.

Duck Donuts Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      2006

    • Franchising Since

      2013

    • New Startup Cost

      $514,650 – $736,800

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details
    Two people sitting on a park bench, enjoying coffee and Duck Donuts from branded containers, with a focus on the food and their smiles.

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $40,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $20,000

      $15k to existing franchisee; $1,500 intra-owner; $3,500 family death/disability

    • Royalty Fee

      6%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Sales

    A top-down view of a work desk with two people, assorted specialty donuts from Duck Donuts on a plate, a laptop, coffee cups, a smartphone, and office supplies.

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      144

    • New Units Opened *

      29

    • Units Transferred *

      9

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $537,112

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD
    A young girl with a large bow in her hair excitedly looks at a box of various colorful Duck Donuts on a counter.

Duck Donuts – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    New Duck Donuts owners complete a 5-day intensive training course at the company's headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, covering operations and day-to-day shop management. Ongoing support comes from corporate operations and training teams, a dedicated operational business consultant, and a marketing team that assists with promoting each location. Resale buyers should confirm with Duck Donuts what onboarding and transfer training the franchisor provides to incoming owners and existing staff when ownership changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Duck Donuts suits hands-on local operators who are comfortable running a fast-paced retail shop and managing an hourly team. The model rewards owners who are customer-focused, organized and community-minded, with the energy to engage local schools, families and fundraisers through programs like Quack Gives Back. Prior food-service or retail experience is helpful but not essential; marketing or finance backgrounds also translate well. Strong day-to-day operational discipline and local marketing instincts matter more than donut expertise.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Duck Donuts has earned recurring national recognition. It ranks in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 (#278 in 2025, up from #445 in 2024), was named #1 on Newsweek's list of America's Best Customer Service in 2021, and was recognized among America's Favorite Restaurant Chains in 2022. The brand has also won a Franchise Times Zor Award in the "Indulge Me" category. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific shop's local reviews, referral sources and community reputation.

  4. Industry / Market

    Duck Donuts operates in the US doughnut store market, valued at around $9.6 billion in 2025 with roughly 14,000 outlets nationwide, according to IBISWorld. Demand is supported by the category's everyday affordability, its appeal as an accessible treat across breakfast, snack and dessert occasions, and steady consumer spending on specialty and customizable food experiences. The market is fragmented and competitive, so a unit's local visibility, reviews and territory strength are central to performance and matter to resale buyers.

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