Shipley Do-Nuts, the Houston-based doughnut concept, on Tuesday named former Bonchon chief executive Flynn Dekker to be its new CEO.
Dekker will succeed Clifton Rutledge, who spent the past two years as CEO. He will return to Shipley’s board of directors.
Dekker most recently was CEO of Bonchon, the Korean chicken chain that operates 420 locations. Before that he was the CMO for Wingstop. Dekker has more than 30 years of restaurant and retail experience.
Robert Strauss, senior managing director of Shipley Do-Nuts owner Peak Rock Capital, called Dekker “an exceptionally strong leader” who “brings an impressive background across numerous executive roles.” Strauss said Dekker’s “experience and talent will help to continue driving significant growth in the business through new-unit expansion, same-store sales growth and enhanced operations.”
Shipley was founded in 1936 and manufactures specialty food products along with its chain of doughnut shops. The chain franchises more than 330 locations in 12 states, selling doughnuts, kolaches and beverages. The chain generated more than $100 million in system sales in 2020, up 5.8%, according to data from Restaurant Business sister company Technomic.
But Shipley has also been growing aggressively. The company has added more than 200 locations to its development pipeline over the past two years and has taken steps to speed growth, including online ordering, new branding and a coffee program.
“Shipley has a strong foundation established over the last 87 years and a tremendous group of employees and franchise partners,” Dekker said in a statement.
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