Shipley Do-Nuts Expands Executive Team to Drive National Scaling
Shipley Do-Nuts, the nation’s largest brand of fresh, handmade donuts and kolaches, has announced three strategic additions to its C-suite as the company enters its 90th year of operation. The Houston-based brand, which is rapidly approaching its 400th location, has appointed Matt Kafka as Chief Operating Officer (COO), Todd Brin as Chief Development Officer (CDO), and John Feray as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
These appointments, effective March 4, 2026, follow the recent hiring of Chief Marketing Officer Bill Leibengood in late 2025. The expanded leadership team is tasked with executing a robust growth strategy under the ownership of private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, which acquired the brand in July 2025.
Strategic Leadership for Operational Excellence
Matt Kafka joins Shipley as COO with nearly 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Most recently, Kafka served as senior vice president and interim COO at Smoothie King, where he managed operations for a network of approximately 1,250 stores. In his new role at Shipley, Kafka will focus on enhancing franchisee leadership and driving operational consistency across the brand’s expanding footprint.
The development pipeline will be overseen by Todd Brin, who was promoted to CDO after serving as vice president of design and construction. Brin brings over three decades of experience, including 22 years at Wingstop, where he was instrumental in scaling the brand from 85 units to 2,500 globally. His focus will be on streamlining the construction and real estate processes to reduce costs for franchisees and accelerate unit growth.
Supporting these initiatives is John Feray, the new CFO. Feray previously held the CFO role at GSM Outdoors and has served in financial leadership capacities at Dollar General and RadioShack. His primary objective is to improve franchise unit economics and strengthen margins as the brand enters high-growth markets.
Accelerating the Omnichannel Shopper Experience
The leadership expansion comes at a pivotal time for Shipley Do-Nuts as it modernizes its omnichannel retail capabilities. According to CEO Flynn Dekker, the brand is currently integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its online ordering systems to improve customer engagement and simplify the ordering process for large events.
This digital transformation is a key component of the brand's strategy to maintain its 18 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth. By combining traditional hospitality with modern technology—such as the "Hot Glazed Guarantee" and enhanced loyalty programs—Shipley aims to meet evolving consumer expectations across both physical and digital touchpoints.
National Expansion and Market Penetration
Shipley has recently signed multi-unit development deals to expand its presence in the South, Southeast, and Midwest. The brand recently announced its first-ever locations in Las Vegas, marking its westernmost expansion to date. Other target areas for 2026 include Missouri, North Carolina, and Florida.
"Each of these leaders brings a depth of experience that positions Shipley for our next stage of growth," said Flynn Dekker in a statement via PR Newswire. "This expanded team will help us build on 90 years of tradition while accelerating the next chapter of this iconic brand."
As the retail landscape continues to shift toward integrated experiences, the "Bentonville-style" focus on supply chain efficiency and consumer-centric marketing is becoming increasingly vital for legacy brands like Shipley. By fortifying its executive ranks with experts in multi-unit growth and financial strategy, Shipley is positioning itself to compete in an increasingly crowded QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) market.
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Andy Wilson
