Shipley Do-Nuts is coming to the Raleigh area, with local franchise owner Dana Norman set to bring two locations to the Triangle. Norman told WhatNow Charlotte that the first shop is targeted to open in 2027, with a second location following in 2028. An exact site for either location has not yet been selected.
The company, known for its doughnuts and kolaches, has grown to more than 400 locations across the country, with its first North Carolina shop opening in Charlotte in 2024.
For Norman, the Triangle expansion marks her first Shipley Do-Nuts franchise. She said the brand’s long history was one of the biggest draws.
“This is my very first Shipley Donuts franchise and I couldn’t be more excited about it,” Norman told WhatNow Charlotte. “What drew me in was the heritage. Shipley’s been at it since 1936, staying true to fresh, handcrafted quality for 90 years.”
Norman said her professional background also played a role in her decision to enter the food business. After spending her career taking care of people during important moments in their lives, she sees Shipley as an opportunity to continue that work in a different way.
“I’ve spent my career taking care of people during life’s biggest moments and now I get to bring people together over something simple: a hot, fresh donut,” she said. “That’s what sealed it for me.”
Customers can expect Shipley’s signature glazed doughnut alongside a variety of yeast and cake doughnuts, as well as the brand’s handmade kolaches baked daily. Axios Raleigh noted that the Texas-style kolaches, often filled with sausage or other savory ingredients, could be a particular draw in the Triangle, where they are less common.
Norman said the menu is part of what she is excited to introduce locally.
“Everything that makes Shipley special: fresh, handmade kolaches baked daily, our wide variety of yeast and cake donuts and the classic glazed donut that’s been a favorite since 1936,” she said. “We’re building on the momentum from Shipley’s first North Carolina shop in Charlotte and I’m proud to bring that same quality and community spirit to Raleigh.”
For Norman, however, the expansion is about more than bringing another doughnut shop to the Triangle. She wants the locations to become part of the communities they serve.
“This isn’t just about opening a shop, it’s about becoming part of the neighborhood,” she said.
