Industry NewsSweet Goods

Shipley Donuts rounds out its C-suite

The doughnut brand names new COO, CDO, and CFO.

Shipley Donuts, maker of fresh, handmade doughnuts and kolaches, has expanded its senior leadership team with the addition of new Chief Operating Officer Matt Kafka, Chief Development Officer Todd Brin, and Chief Financial Officer John Feray.

Kafka brings nearly 30 years of restaurant operations experience to Shipley. He most recently served as SVP and interim COO at Smoothie King, where he oversaw franchise and corporate operations across approximately 1,250 stores. He previously held operations roles at Jamba Juice. As chief operating officer at Shipley, Kafka will champion operational excellence and strengthen franchisee leadership, the brand says.

Brin, who joined Shipley in 2025 as VP of design and construction, brings more than 30 years of experience in unit development, operations and strategic leadership. He spent 22 years at Wingstop, where he helped build the systems that scaled the brand from 85 to 2,500 units worldwide. As CDO, Brin will oversee all aspects of franchise sales, development, construction, design and real estate with a focus on streamlining processes, reducing costs and accelerating unit growth across the Shipley system.

Also tasked with supporting the company’s growth, as CFO, Feray, a lifelong Shipley consumer, will focus on improving franchise unit economics and strengthening margins. With more than 30 years of experience in finance, accounting, operations, and strategic leadership, he most recently served as CFO at GSM Outdoors and has held financial leadership roles at Dollar General Corporation, RadioShack, and many other companies. Feray traces his love of the brand back to childhood visits to Shipley with his grandparents in Bellaire, TX, he says.

“Each of these leaders brings a depth of experience that positions Shipley for our next stage of growth,” says Flynn Dekker, CEO of Shipley Donuts. “From John’s experience and lifelong connection to the brand to the franchise leadership and multi-unit growth expertise that Matt and Todd bring, this expanded team will help us build on 90 years of tradition while accelerating the next chapter of this iconic brand.”

The three appointments follow the addition of CMO Bill Leibengood, who joined Shipley in late 2025. The expanded leadership team joins the brand as it celebrates its 90th anniversary this year and rapidly approaches the opening of its 400th location.

Shipley recently announced multi-unit deals to continue expanding nationwide, including its first shop in Las Vegas, the brand’s westernmost location.

Franchise opportunities are available throughout the South, Southeast, and Midwest for operators seeking to join America’s fastest-growing donut and kolache brand. Additional information is available at ownashipleydonuts.com.