

Peace, Love & Little Donuts is a fast-growing donut franchise known for its fresh, mini-sized treats. The concept began in the Strip District of Pittsburgh in 2008 when the founder accidentally crafted bite-sized donuts, which became the brand’s signature “little” cake donut. The business officially launched under the name Peace, Love & Little Donuts in 2009.
The company formed as Peace, Love & Little Donuts, LLC in 2012. Its headquarters is located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. The brand began offering franchise opportunities in 2016, allowing entrepreneurs to bring this unique concept to new communities.
Peace, Love & Little Donuts sells made-to-order mini cake donuts topped with a variety of frostings and funky toppings. They also serve freshly brewed coffee and provide catering services for events, birthdays, and office functions. Customers can enjoy a live donut-making experience, as each treat is made right in front of them.
The franchise sets itself apart with its signature small-sized donuts, vibrant 1970s-inspired branding, and a wide range of creative flavors. Its community-focused approach, fun atmosphere, and emphasis on freshness help distinguish it from traditional donut chains.
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.
Peace, Love and Little Donuts provides a multi-tiered training program to ensure its franchisees and their staff are equipped for operational success.
Peace, Love and Little Donuts grants franchisees a geographic territory, which is defined in the franchise agreement. While the franchisor will not open another store under the brand within this designated area if the franchisee complies with the agreement, the territory is not exclusive.
The franchisee must operate only within the assigned area and cannot engage in marketing or sales through the Internet or other distribution channels without prior approval.
The franchisor retains the right to compete within the territory using alternative distribution methods such as catalogs, mail order, and online platforms, even under the same or different trademarks. Additionally, certain venues like trade shows and fairs are excluded from the protected territory.
Below are some of
Peace, Love and Little Donuts
key competitors in the
Baked Goods
sector.

24
$40,000
$121,000
$235,000
n.a.
$227,000
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
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.