#USA #Houston #Shipley Donuts #Matt Kafka #Todd Brin

Shipley Donuts Expands Executive Team

In a strategic move to enhance its leadership capabilities, Shipley Donuts, the largest brand of freshly made donuts and kolaches in the United States, has appointed three influential leaders to its executive team. This expansion comes just as the brand approaches its 90th anniversary and the grand opening of its 400th location.

New Leaders Stepping Up

The new appointments include Matt Kafka as the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Todd Brin as the Chief Development Officer (CDO), and John Feray as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Each of these leaders brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping Shipley Donuts elevate its operations and franchise development in a competitive landscape.

Matt Kafka – Chief Operating Officer

Matt Kafka enters the role of COO with nearly three decades of experience in restaurant operations. Previously, he served as a senior vice president at Smoothie King, managing franchise and corporate operations for around 1,250 locations. His background also includes significant roles at Jamba Juice. At Shipley, Kafka aims to implement operational excellence while strengthening relationships with franchise owners, ensuring efficient management and support across the franchise network.

Todd Brin – Chief Development Officer

Todd Brin, who joined Shipley in 2025, has built a formidable reputation over his 30 years in unit development and operations. Having spent 22 years with Wingstop, he played a crucial role in scaling the brand from 85 to 2,500 outlets globally. As the CDO at Shipley, Brin will be in charge of franchise sales, development, construction, design, and real estate. His focus will be on streamlining operational processes and accelerating overall unit growth.

John Feray – Chief Financial Officer

Bringing over 30 years of finance and operations expertise, John Feray is a lifelong fan of Shipley Donuts, a sentiment originating from his childhood visits to the brand with his grandparents in Bellaire, Texas. As CFO, his priorities will involve enhancing the economic performance of franchise units and improving profit margins across the board. Feray has held significant financial roles with established companies like Dollar General and RadioShack, and he aims to leverage his experience to support the growth trajectory of Shipley Donuts.

A Vision for the Future

Flynn Dekker, CEO of Shipley Donuts, expressed his enthusiasm about the new leadership appointments, stating, "Each of these leaders brings a depth of experience that positions Shipley for our next stage of growth. From John's emotional connection to the brand to the expertise in multi-unit growth that Matt and Todd offer, we are setting the stage to build on 90 years of tradition."

In tandem with these appointments, Shipley has also recently welcomed Bill Leibengood as Chief Marketing Officer to further enhance its marketing strategies amid an exciting growth period. The new leadership team is strategically aligned to uphold Shipley’s legacy of quality while spearheading innovations that support its expansion goals.

Celebrating Ninety Years

As Shipley Donuts approaches its 90th anniversary, it proudly reflects on its history of providing high-quality donuts and kolaches to customers across the United States. The company currently operates over 390 locations in 13 states, consistently receiving high acclaim in its category; it has been ranked No. 1 on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 for an impressive five consecutive years.

Shipley Donuts is actively pursuing further franchise opportunities, especially in the South, Southeast, and Midwest, inviting dedicated operators to join in the success of America’s fastest-growing donut and kolache brand. For detailed franchising information, interested parties are encouraged to visit their official site.

As Shipley Donuts gears up for a milestone year, the combination of seasoned leadership and a strong vision for the future positions the brand to satisfy sweet cravings for generations to come.