In 2006, Russ DiGilio established Duck Donuts in the charming town of Duck, North Carolina, introducing a fresh and customizable donut experience that quickly captivated food enthusiasts. The inspiration for Duck Donuts arose during a family vacation when the need for warm, freshly made donuts led to the creation of the first store.
The concept rapidly gained traction, and by 2011, Duck Donuts had expanded to four locations. Recognizing the brand's growth potential, franchising began in 2013, with the first franchise opening in Williamsburg, Virginia. Today, the corporate headquarters of Duck Donuts is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where the brand continues to thrive.
Duck Donuts offers a unique in-store experience where customers can watch their donuts being made fresh to order. They then have the opportunity to customize their treats with a variety of coatings, toppings, and drizzles. This commitment to freshness and personalization distinguishes Duck Donuts from its competitors and appeals to a wide range of tastes.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Duck Donuts provides an extensive training program that incorporates a mix of online, classroom, and hands-on training.
Attendance Requirements
A minimum of four individuals must attend and successfully complete the initial training. This group includes the franchisee’s Operating Principal, a full-time General Manager, and one additional approved employee.
Training Curriculum
The program covers various crucial aspects of store operations. Topics include sales techniques, product knowledge, accounting practices, food preparation, and operations management.
Location and Duration
Training takes place at designated Duck Donuts locations, which may include their headquarters.
Franchisees are granted the right to establish and operate a Duck Donuts outlet within a designated protected territory, known as the "Territory," which is defined once the franchised business location is identified and approved.
The Territory usually encompasses one or more cities or market areas, outlined by factors such as roadways, county lines, or other geographical markers. The size and boundaries of the Territory are individually determined based on elements like the number of households, average home prices, and household incomes.
Although franchisees receive a specific location within their Territory, the franchisor reserves the right to operate or franchise Duck Donuts outlets in surrounding, bordering, or adjacent areas.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
Below are some of
Duck Donuts
key competitors in the
Baked Goods
sector.
143
$40,000
$469,000
$691,000
n.a.
$500,000
$xxx,xxx
72.6%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Al Manakeesh is a Middle Eastern bakery-restaurant brand offering manakeesh flatbreads, shawarma, and Lebanese specialties, serving neighborhood diners and families, and known for freshly baked dough, traditional flavors, and casual, counter-service settings that highlight Levantine comfort food.
?
?
Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant is a quick‐service franchise offering Caribbean-style patties, rotis, rice dishes and meals, serving diaspora communities and casual diners, and known for signature flavors, cultural brand heritage and growing franchise network.
?
?
MidnighTreats is a late-night food-truck or small-format franchise offering waffles, desserts and sweet-snacks on-demand, serving late-night crowds, event patrons, and dessert lovers, and known for mobile flexibility, viral menu appeal and lean startup model.
?
?
Schmackary’s is a gourmet cookie-and‐dessert franchise offering handmade cookies, ice cream sandwiches, and specialty treats, serving dessert lovers and gift buyers, and known for bold flavors, urban brand presence and experiential retail-tainment.
?
?
BAGEL BOSS is a bagel-and-deli franchise offering New York–style bagels, breakfast sandwiches, deli items and coffee, serving morning commuters and families, and known for authentic bagel craft, strong local presence and franchise scalability.
?
?
House of Bread is a bakery-café franchise offering freshly baked artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches and café meals, serving families and casual diners, and known for hand-crafted baking, community-driven brand and multi-stream revenue.
?
?
Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.
Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.
Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.
A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.
.png)
