Hot Listing
Semi-Absentee Donut Franchise – $134K SDE, Manager in Place
Business Description
Great opportunity to own your own business!
Established National Donut Franchise — Orange County, CA Corporate Corridor (Semi-Absentee)
Established single location of a nationally recognized, made-to-order specialty donut brand, operating inside a premium food hall in one of Southern California's densest daytime corporate trade areas. 2025 revenue of $612K produced $120K net income — a 19.6% net margin, up from 15.8% in 2024. Two-year average Adjusted SDE of ~$134K and ~$132K Adjusted EBITDA on an absentee basis.
A dedicated full-time General Manager runs the store and has committed to staying post-close — a true semi-absentee opportunity where a passive investor does not need to work in the business. Manager compensation is fully reflected in operating expenses, so there is no replacement cost to the buyer.
The unit operates roughly 30% above the franchise's national average unit volume per the current FDD. Direct landlord lease at a competitive rate with an option extending control into the early 2030s. The franchisor has agreed to assign the existing franchise agreement and waive renewal fees. Asset sale, no transferred liabilities, operating since 2018. Not a distressed sale — owner is reallocating capital to other businesses. Priced on trailing earnings at 3.0x average absentee EBITDA; growth levers (B2B catering to surrounding Class A offices, digital marketing, loyalty) are untouched.
The seller's second location under the same brand is offered separately — buyers interested in both units may inquire about package terms.
Financing — please read before inquiring: Offered on a cash or seller-financed basis and is NOT an SBA transaction. Buyers requiring SBA or bank financing are not a fit. For a qualified buyer, the seller will carry 25% with a 75% buyer down payment at close; all-cash welcome and may receive preference.
Buyer Qualification Requirements:
Cash to close: minimum 75% down (~$296,250); plan ~$347K–$362K total including closing costs and working capital.
Net worth: minimum $150,000 per the franchisor's current FDD; liquidity sufficient to close without bank financing.
Experience & approvals: buyer must qualify with the franchisor and the landlord (net worth/liquidity at least equal to the current tenant, plus restaurant/retail operating capability) and provide a personal guaranty on the lease. Food-service/QSR experience preferred.
To move forward: signed personal financial statement and proof of funds required before any confidential details, financials, or site visits.
Brand, location, equipment list, and store-level financials disclosed to prequalified buyers after NDA. All inquiries through the broker.
Established single location of a nationally recognized, made-to-order specialty donut brand, operating inside a premium food hall in one of Southern California's densest daytime corporate trade areas. 2025 revenue of $612K produced $120K net income — a 19.6% net margin, up from 15.8% in 2024. Two-year average Adjusted SDE of ~$134K and ~$132K Adjusted EBITDA on an absentee basis.
A dedicated full-time General Manager runs the store and has committed to staying post-close — a true semi-absentee opportunity where a passive investor does not need to work in the business. Manager compensation is fully reflected in operating expenses, so there is no replacement cost to the buyer.
The unit operates roughly 30% above the franchise's national average unit volume per the current FDD. Direct landlord lease at a competitive rate with an option extending control into the early 2030s. The franchisor has agreed to assign the existing franchise agreement and waive renewal fees. Asset sale, no transferred liabilities, operating since 2018. Not a distressed sale — owner is reallocating capital to other businesses. Priced on trailing earnings at 3.0x average absentee EBITDA; growth levers (B2B catering to surrounding Class A offices, digital marketing, loyalty) are untouched.
The seller's second location under the same brand is offered separately — buyers interested in both units may inquire about package terms.
Financing — please read before inquiring: Offered on a cash or seller-financed basis and is NOT an SBA transaction. Buyers requiring SBA or bank financing are not a fit. For a qualified buyer, the seller will carry 25% with a 75% buyer down payment at close; all-cash welcome and may receive preference.
Buyer Qualification Requirements:
Cash to close: minimum 75% down (~$296,250); plan ~$347K–$362K total including closing costs and working capital.
Net worth: minimum $150,000 per the franchisor's current FDD; liquidity sufficient to close without bank financing.
Experience & approvals: buyer must qualify with the franchisor and the landlord (net worth/liquidity at least equal to the current tenant, plus restaurant/retail operating capability) and provide a personal guaranty on the lease. Food-service/QSR experience preferred.
To move forward: signed personal financial statement and proof of funds required before any confidential details, financials, or site visits.
Brand, location, equipment list, and store-level financials disclosed to prequalified buyers after NDA. All inquiries through the broker.
About the Business
- Years in Operation
- 8
- Employees
- 7 Full-time
1 manager - Franchise
- This business is an established franchise
- Facilities & Assets
- Opened in 2018 as part of a nationally recognized made-to-order donut franchise system, this location operates in a premium food-hall setting within one of Southern California's densest daytime corporate trade areas. The store has run semi-absentee under current ownership since inception, with a dedicated full-time General Manager handling staffing, scheduling, training, and inventory. Profitability has strengthened under management-led cost discipline — net margin expanded from 15.8% (2024) to 19.6% (2025) — and the unit's two-year average revenue runs roughly 30% above the franchise's national average unit volume per the current FDD.
- Market Outlook / Competition
- The brand's made-to-order customization model — customers build each donut live on the line — differentiates it from pre-made donut retail and drives repeat visits and loyalty. The food-hall location captures captive daytime lunch traffic with reduced operating burden versus a standalone QSR. Direct landlord lease at competitive rent with an option extending control into the early 2030s; franchisor has confirmed assignment of the existing agreement with renewal fees waived. Buying this established unit compares favorably to the franchisor's quoted $377K–$562K cost to build new — with revenue, trained staff, and management continuity in place from day one.
- Opportunities for Growth
- Growth levers are essentially untouched under hands-off ownership. The store sits amid Class A office towers and a major medical campus with minimal B2B catering penetration today (estimated $50K–$100K annual incremental potential at low cost). No paid social, loyalty/SMS program, or delivery-platform optimization is currently in place, and the franchisor's corporate loyalty platform is unused. A surplus-food partnership generating ~$30K annually at a sister location is directly replicable here. A buyer applying even modest sales effort acquires these levers for free — the ask is priced on trailing earnings, not projections.
Real Estate
- Owned or Leased
- Leased
About the Sale
- Seller Motivation
- More time with family
- Financing Options
- Owner Financing Amount $150,000.00 ROI 8% Terms Months 60 Monthly Payment $3.042,00
Listing Info
- ID
- 2347213
- Listing Views
- 5538
Listing ID: 2347213 The information on this listing has been provided by either the seller or a business broker representing the seller. BizQuest has no interest or stake in the sale of this business and has not verified any of the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy, veracity, or completeness. See our full Terms of Use. Learn how to avoid scams.
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