About Us

Shipley Do-Nuts (aka Shipley’s) is a beloved Texas-born chain founded in 1936 by Lawrence Shipley Sr. in Houston during the Great Depression. He created a light, fluffy, hand-cut “do-nut” recipe (still the same today), selling hot glazed ones wholesale for 5¢ a dozen from 1417 Crockett St. The motto: serve ’em hot to bring folks back! It grew from wholesale to retail in the 1940s, staying family-run for generations before modern franchising. Signature item: the pillowy hot glazed doughnut (often hexagon-shaped, simple perfection). They also shine with savory kolaches (Czech-Texas pastries filled with sausage, jalapeño & cheese, bacon, etc.), plus filled/iced donuts, beignets, holes, coffee—over 60 varieties, handmade fresh daily. As of early 2026, >385 locations across 13 states (heavy in Texas; also AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, TN, VA). Record 35 openings in 2025 added NC & VA (first in Lynchburg; more planned, including interest in Richmond/Roanoke/Virginia Beach).