Duck Donuts
Duck Donuts franchise for sale in Knoxville, Tennessee
List Price: $45,000 USD
Key Facts
Annual Gross Revenue
$485,000 USD
Cash Flow
Upon Inquiry
Seasonal Business
No
Value of Inventory
Upon Inquiry
Value of Assets
Upon Inquiry
Year Established
2024
Business Operates From
A retail location
Location Is
Leased
Approx. Monthly Rent
$4,500
Total Employees
Upon Inquiry
NoneTransition
Support
SomewhatPrice/Terms
Flexibility
NoneSeller financing Available
PassiveOwner
Involvement
About this Business
This Duck Donuts is located at one of the busiest areas of Knoxville. Located off of Kingston Pike, this is an ideal location for patrons to stop in for their donut fix or pick up an order to treat someone else. This store has seen an increase in sales over the last few years and has lots of growth opportunity.
Growth opportunities
This location gets tons of traffic and sales have been growing over the last few years. With some good marketing and more community involvement this location has lots of potential for growth.
Owner's Day-to-Day Involvement
As the owner, more involvement would be better, and an owner/operator is ideal. I have run this location in a passive capacity and don't have the time to involve myself on a larger scale.
Asset Description
commercial robotic donut fryers, refrigerators, freezers, sandwich oven, expresso machine, industrial mixer, etc.
Inventory Description
all inventory needed to conduct business for weeks.
Reason for Selling
I do not have the time needed to be in the store and to be involved in the marketing for the business.
Why I Love My Franchise
The donuts are absolutely delicious, and I believe are the best in town. We have lots of repeat customers that swear by our products.
About Duck Donuts
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.
Franchisee 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.
Brand Accolades & 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.
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.
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.