DONUTNV Franchise Owners Selling at a Loss [UPDATED]
Last year’s hot new franchise opportunity sometimes becomes this year’s discounted resale (and, in the worst cases, next year’s cautionary tale). DonutNV franchisees in Utah, New York, Tennessee and Florida are among those who have run (or are running) ads for DonutNV trailers, territories or both at prices less than what they likely paid. With most giving time constraints as their reason for selling, these ads contradict the representation that DonutNV is a viable passive, semi-absentee business. by Sean Kelly
Also read: DONUTNV Has Exited the Franchise Fastlane
The DonutNV Franchise Report (Index)
(UnhappyFranchisee.Com) [UPDATED 8/12/25] If DonutNV franchisees enjoy 84.6% profit margins, $169,799 adjusted net profit and gross sales of $220,000, why are so many selling their semi-absentee, passive-investment businesses?
DonutNV, Franchise Fastlane & myriad franchise brokers sold the mini-donut franchise as a business that could be run alongside the franchisee’s full-time job or other businesses with low time constraints.
Many of the ads from franchisees trying to sell their existing businesses challenge the representation of DonutNV being a viable passive-investor, semi-absentee business. Stated reasons for selling include:
“Due to our other businesses, we do not have the time we wish we had to spend on it.”
“Bottom line: I can’t keep up with the business.”
“Unable to dedicate the time needed to maximize its growing potential.”
“We are selling our business to focus on family”
“We just don’t have the time to continue running multiple businesses…”
Reason for Selling:
We initially launched DonutNV of SLC as a side business, aiming to operate it as semi-absentee
owners while managing other commitments… To ensure DonutNV of SLC meets its full potential, we are seeking a new owner who
can dedicate their time and energy to continue building on the strong foundation we’ve established.
Listed below are some of the DonutNV franchise resale ads running currently or recently.
Please share your candid & confidential opinions and information with an anonymous comment below, or by emailing the author at UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail[dot]com.
Franchise Brokers Who Bought DonutNV Franchises Have Jumped Ship… Or are Trying To.
Whether they signed franchise agreements to enhance their sales pitches or whether they invested in earnest as semi-absentee owners, franchise sales agents and/or brokers have all sold their franchises – or are trying to. They include:
Franchise Fastlane: Jake Hamburger & Jennifer Cain quietly sold their Omaha, NE franchise.
Franchise Sidekick: broker Mike Flowers sold his Panama Beach, FL DonutNV franchise.
FranChoice: franchise broker Chrystal Bell resold her Colorado franchise
The Franchise Consulting Company: Broker Dennis Stein has had his trailer and territory listed at a fire sale price on BizBuySell (see below) for a long, long time. His (and wife Melissa’s) West Islip, NY location is no longer listed on the company directory.
FranChoice: broker Jeff Bruce publicized his son’s bold plan to put himself through college while running a DonutNV franchise. The Natick location has been for sale & Jake changed his LI profile to “former owner.”
Franchoice Broker Jeff Bruce May Want Out of Natick MA Franchise
We have reached out to Franchoice broker Jeff Bruce whose Natick, MA DonutNV franchise is listed for sale on BizBuySell but have not heard back. Jake Bruce changed his LinkedIn profile to read “Jacob Bruce Founder of Bruce Legacy Group,” and indicated he was no longer a franchisee as of August, 2025. He has not responded to a request for clarification. [updated 8/13/25]
Broker Dennis Stein’s Listing: DonutNV on Long Island (Deer Park, NY) – $49,995
Update: The Franchise Consulting Company Dennis Stein’s location is no longer listed on the DonutNV website, but his fire-sale offer is still advertised on BizBuySell.
According to DonutNV FDD, the initial franchise investment is $189,580 to $272,900.
On BizBuySell, Dennis Stein (Melissa Stein) is offering this turnkey “Lucrative Dessert Truck” for $49,995 including “territories.”
Lucrative Dessert Truck
Asking Price: $49,995
Established: 2023With DonutNV you’ll have a turn key trailer with everything you need to succeed for FREE such as 2 fryers, juicer, drink dispenser and
supplies such as cups, buckets, bags, toppings, ingredients, etc. You will also get our territories FREE with the purchase of the trailer.
DonutNV of Salt Lake City, Utah 3 Territories $150K (Tom Bowcut & Gabe Granata)
On Biz BuySell.Com:
Established DonutNV Food Truck Business – High Demand & Turnkey Opp.
Asking Price: $150,000
Cash Flow: $103,500
Gross Revenue: $169,866
Established: 2023
Location: Lehi, UT
Inventory: Included in asking price
74% NET margins, low overhead, proprietary products, very simple model
… incredible profit margins. This business has a high demand, with a full calendar of events across
Utah and Salt Lake Counties.
…our custom-built DonutNV trailers (up to 3 available).
DonutNV of St. George, Utah (Anthony White)
Anthony White of St. George, UT is advertising multiple territories and multiple trailers.
Options range from $25,000 to $180,000.
DonutNV of Sebring, FL (Dimitrios Panagiotopoulos)
DonutNV of Emerald Coast, FL (Tyler Baker)
DonutNV franchisee Tyler Baker is trying to sell three Pensacola territories for $25K each – substantially less than the $60K+ per territory charged by the franchisor.
Established DonutNV Food Truck Business on the Emerald Coast
Asking Price: $75,000
Cash Flow: $87,514
Gross Revenue: $171,991
Established: 2022
Price is for 3 Pensacola Territories. Trailer would need to be purchased to run in your
area. The three territories cover everything from Navarre to the State line. These start
at $60,000 from DonutNV.
DonutNV of Cookeville, TN (Chad Day)
DonutNV franchise owner Chad Day must have quickly recognized that the concept could not be run on a semi-absentee basis.
6-8 months after launching, he began to promote the sale of his DonutNV franchise for Cookeville, TN.
DonutNV of Chattanooga, TN (Jay Henry)
In January, 2024, Chattanooga, TN Jay Henry announced that he wanted to exit the DonutNV franchise and was seeking a buyer.
DonutNV of Groveland, FL (Patty Aviles)
Patty Aviles of Groveland, FL was the 6th DonutNV franchisee. She aggressively promoted her trailer for sale on Facebook in Spring, 2024. She eventually was able to sell it and exit the system.
DonutNV of Columbia, TN
The DonutNV Columbia, TN franchise owner has been trying to sell his franchise on Facebook & instagram.
Not sure if he/she has had any luck getting out of the system.
DonutNV of York County, South Carolina Advertised for Sale
A DonutNV franchisee advertised the DonutNV of York County, South Carolina.
Rock Hill, SC is situated in York County.
The franchisees listed as the owners of the Rock Hill DonutNV, Jason Scott Wells & Mallory Outlaw (Dina Wells) reportedly exited the system in early 2025.
DonutNV Trailer Currently for Sale in Tennessee
An unidentified DonutNV franchisee (or former franchisee) or creditor (repossession?) is advertising their DonutNV trailer on the free Used Food Trucks listing site.
Located in Tennessee, they are seeking $117,700. It was built in 2022.
DonutNV Franchisees Who Left the System:
DonutNV Franchisee Marc Schnobrich (Hilton Head, Savannah) May Have Left the System
Has the DonutNV Franchise of Woodstock GA Ceased Operation?
Has DonutNV Ceased Operation in Connecticut?
Has DonutNV Franchise Owner Darlene Ortega Left the System?
DonutNV MultiUnit NC Franchisees Left the System. Not Disclosed?
DonutNV References/Documentation:
DonutNV 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
DonutNV 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
DonutNV 2022 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
Are you familiar with the DonutNV franchise opportunity?
Are you familiar with Franchise Fastlane?
Please leave a comment below or email us, in confidence, at UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail[dot]com.
Franchisors: The franchisor, its employees and agents are invited to submit correction, clarifications, rebuttals or other opinions for immediate consideration.
UnhappyFranchisee.com is not associated with this or other franchise company or seller.
Tags: DonutNV, DonutNV franchise, Established donutNV for sale, DonutNV franchise earnings, DonutNV franchise opportunity, Donut franchise resale, Franchise Fastlane, Alex Gingold, Amanda Gingold, Jake Hamburger, Franchise Sidekick, Franchoice, IFPG, Franserve, Franchise Brokers Association,
Wow, quite a few selling.
Looks like even one with multiple trucks.
My question is, are franchisees forced to sign an NDA?
None of them can speak about their business and what may have went wrong?
There could be some and I mean this without being nasty that may know why they failed and it could be an experience that others should know about to prevent theirs from failing, although it mostly seems that these people were sold a dream that in reality involves hours and hours of work.
Anonymous:
Thanks for your comment and questions.
It’s my understanding that many exiting franchisees are required to sign NDAs to prevent them from sharing their experiences and views on DonutNV.
Current franchisees are afraid to speak publicly for fear of retaliation.
A number of DonutNV franchisees have shared with us because of the reputation for trust and confidentiality we’ve built in the last 20 years.
Once all said and done, the loss is over $200k . The trailers sell at half the price you paid and the territories you can’t sell because nobody wants them.
Many more are stuck and wish they could sell, but cannot afford the losses. So they keep going, feeling miserable and misled by Franchise Fastlane and DonutNV. There aren’t any viable options out without taking a big loss. They can’t speak out for risk of being sued and losing even more money. They went after you for exposing the truth and would go after franchisees too.