A New Beginning in Spring Hill
The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed Duck Donuts to Spring Hill, Florida, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this past Wednesday. Franchisee Christina Putnam, alongside her family and community leaders, celebrated the grand opening at the new location, 13105 Cortez Blvd., right next to BJ’s Wholesale.
For Christina, the moment was more than just a business launch — it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream rooted in her passion for entrepreneurship and family values.
“Duck Donuts started as an adventure for us,” Christina shared. “I always watched my uncle in entrepreneurship, wanting to grow and develop franchises… It inspired us to support small businesses, hire local teenagers, and help them grow into great individuals as adults.”
Duck Donuts’ Growth Story
Founded in 2007 by Russ DiGilio and family in Duck, North Carolina, the brand was born out of a simple problem: there was nowhere nearby to buy fresh donuts. Today, Duck Donuts has evolved into a fast-growing franchise with more than 100 locations across the United States and several international outlets.
- Core Concept: Fresh, made-to-order donuts with customizable toppings.
- Menu Variety: Classic glazed and powdered, creative signatures like the “Beach Ball” or “Coconut Island Bliss,” plus shakes, coffee, and breakfast sandwiches.
- Customer Favorites: The Maple Bacon Donut (topped with maple icing and bacon) and the Boardwalk Donut (with Oreo, powdered sugar, and vanilla drizzle) lead the pack.
Christina Putnam’s Vision
The new Spring Hill location is just the beginning for Christina and her family. With her husband Michael, son Zachary, and dedicated staff, she plans to open three more Duck Donuts stores within the next three years.
“I have been waiting for one year to do this,” she said. “We signed a year ago to start our franchises… It’s been a process to find the right space, but we are so excited. And we think this is going to be great.”
Her focus is not only on serving donuts but also on creating opportunities for local youth. Christina actively hires teens as young as 16, offering them valuable job experience in a supportive environment.
“I’ve been really lucky because they are all really great,” she explained. “They just need to be taught.”
Why This Matters
The Spring Hill opening highlights three pillars of Duck Donuts’ success story:
- Community-Centered Growth – Each location is built around family values, local hiring, and customer engagement.
- Franchise Scalability – With customizable donuts and a proven operational model, the brand can expand efficiently across diverse markets.
- Family Entrepreneurship – Franchisees like Christina show how passion, family teamwork, and franchisor support create thriving businesses.
DonutFranchiseMaster.com Perspective
Duck Donuts’ Spring Hill launch underscores how the right franchise system can empower local entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams while supporting their communities.
At DonutFranchiseMaster.com, powered by Star Brands Consulting Group, we highlight stories like Christina’s to show future franchisees what’s possible:
- Start with a strong brand and proven system.
- Build with family and community at the core.
- Scale through expert guidance and support.
For investors, Duck Donuts represents a fast-growing brand with strong customer loyalty, flexible formats, and an inspiring success culture.
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