Looking to franchise with Stan’s Donuts? The beloved Chicago-based brand may be a household name—but it follows a very different growth path than traditional donut franchises like Dunkin’ or Shipley Do-Nuts.
Here’s what you need to know about Stan’s Donuts, its profit strategy, expansion plans, and whether it’s the right fit for your donut business goals.
🍩 A Chicago Classic with a Modern Twist
Founded in partnership with legendary LA baker Stan Berman, Stan’s Donuts & Coffee was brought to Chicago in 2014 by Rich Labriola, a seasoned restaurateur and bakery expert. The brand is known for:
- Creative, photogenic donuts (like Biscoff pockets, old fashioneds, and pistachio-glazed)
- Artisanal coffee menus and stylish café vibes
- Strong brand presence in high-traffic areas and premium grocery chains
🚫 Can You Buy a Stan’s Donuts Franchise?
No — Stan’s Donuts does not offer franchises at this time.
The company only operates company-owned stores and licensed retail partnerships. While this limits franchise access, it allows the brand to maintain strong control over quality, branding, and operations.
💼 Alternative Business Models Used by Stan’s
While traditional franchising is off the table, Stan’s is scaling through:
✅ 1. Company-Owned Stores
- 16+ locations in the Chicago metro area (as of 2025)
- Revenue from high-traffic cafés, events, and catering
✅ 2. Retail Licensing
- Branded donut kiosks inside Mariano’s and other upscale grocers
- Strategic placements to expand retail presence with minimal overhead
✅ 3. Wholesale & Commissary
- Supply fresh donuts to partner retailers and cafés
- Commissary-driven model helps reduce per-unit production costs
- Wholesale accounts for ~20% of company revenue
📈 Revenue & Profit Insights
Stan’s Donuts has built a multi-channel revenue stream, with strong profitability from:
- High-volume flagship locations (e.g., Michigan Ave, Wrigleyville)
- Grocery store partnerships (generating steady daily orders)
- Central commissary reducing labor duplication across outlets
📊 Estimated Annual Revenue per Store:
$1.2M – $1.5M gross sales (Chicago flagship average)
🌍 Expansion Plans (2025 and Beyond)
Stan’s is focused on scaling within the Chicago metro region with:
- 5–10 new licensed locations inside Mariano’s grocery stores
- Additional company-owned shops in suburbs like Skokie and Oak Brook
- Potential wholesale expansion to café chains and retail partners
There’s currently no national expansion or franchising outside of Illinois, but the growth model shows potential for future license-based scale in other urban hubs.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Should You Wait or Build Your Own Brand?
Stan’s Donuts is an inspiring success story in the donut business—but for investors or entrepreneurs looking to own a franchise, it’s not an option at this time. However, if you’re interested in:
- Retail licensing models
- Donut cafés with wholesale backends
- Creative, brand-forward donut concepts
… then the Stan’s Donuts model can offer valuable insight into building a multi-channel donut business that doesn’t rely solely on foot traffic.
👥 Let DonutFranchiseMaster.com Help You Build What Stan’s Built
At DonutFranchiseMaster.com, we help entrepreneurs:
- Evaluate franchise vs. licensing vs. independent routes
- Design profitable commissary + retail systems
- Build brand identity and menus that stand out
- Create business plans modeled after successful concepts like Stan’s
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s build a donut business as iconic as Stan’s—together.
Leave a Reply