Staffing

Shipley Do-Nuts hires CEO, COO

Photo: Provided.

May 17, 2021

Shipley Franchise Company and Shipley Do-Nut Flour & Supply Co. have hired Clifton Rutledge and Hank Simpson as CEO and COO, respectively.

Rutledge, who formerly served as executive chairman at Shipley, brings more than three decades of restaurant leadership experience to the company. He previously served as COO at Jack's Family Restaurants, president/CEO at Bojangles Chicken and Biscuits and COO at Whataburger.

Simpson joins Shipley from Panera Bread, where he most recently was senior vice president of chief development and franchise officer.

Founded in 1936 in Houston, Shipley Do-Nuts has over 300 locations in nine states. An affiliate of Peak Rock Capital bought the company in 2020 and plans to double its store count over the next five years in existing and new geographic areas, the release said.

"Clifton and Hank bring to Shipley impressive track records across numerous restaurant industry leadership roles," Robert Strauss, a Shipley board member said in the release. "Their experience and talent will help drive significant growth in the business through new unit expansion, same-store sales growth and enhanced operations."

Current Shipley President Craig Lindberg remains in his role as a senior member of the leadership team.

"Our team is fully committed to the success of all of our current and future franchisees, guests and communities, and together, we will accelerate Shipley's growth trajectory by continuing to invest in our franchisees' success with industry-leading ingredients, equipment, technology and service," Rutledge said. "I look forward to building on the strong foundation established at Shipley over the last 85 years."