KANSAS CITY, MO — After years of touch-and-go foot traffic and slumping sales, bakery chains of all types are thriving. Donut shops, bakery cafes, artisan bakeries and other similar baked goods producers are expanding at a rapid pace. Bakers in growth mode can look to these five companies for inspiration.
Chip City
This New York City-based cookie chain, which offers a rotating menu of cookies, plans to open 30 stores in 2024, followed by another 40 next year. With more than 30 locations across the US already, Chip City expects to reach 100 stores by the end of 2025. At this pace, the chain should have much to celebrate by the time the next National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day rolls around.
Duck Donuts
Made-to-order donuts are the foundations of this Mechanicsburg, PA-based donut franchise’s success. The brand opened 23 new locations in the US and 10 international stores in 2023, including 11 franchise agreements in Q2 alone. Duck Donuts intends to break its 2023 record by opening 35 additional US locations and 10 franchisee-owned stores this year. The bakery is known for its limited-time promotions, such as its fall-inspired Sweet as Pie assortment. Its maple bacon glazed donut is also a finalist in the Underground Donut Tour’s 2024 America’s Greatest Donut Contest.
Paris Baguette
The Moonachie, NJ-based bakery cafe concept has more than 4,000 locations worldwide and over 150 stores in 30 US states. Paris Baguette’s long-term expansion goal is to reach 1,000 US locations by 2030.
Tim Hortons
This Canadian donut and coffee chain, owned by Restaurant Brands International, is looking to expand its presence in the US beyond the 630 stores already in its portfolio. The majority of Tim Hortons stores are in Canada, but the company expects to open 1,000 US locations by 2028. Recently, Tim Hortons added its Dream Cookies to US menus.
Shipley Do-Nuts
This Houston-based donut franchise has more than 350 locations in 12 states, with plans to double the number of locations over the next five years. Thirty of those shops are expected to open in 2024. Earlier this year, Shipley Do-nuts introduced the POPTASTIC donut with freeze-dried SKITTLES, making it the first US brand to feature the freeze-dried candy.
