DonutNV Franchise Downgraded by Broker Group (?) as Franchisees Exit, Questions Grow

Brokers and advisors of Franchise Sidekick were among the most fervent promoters of the DonutNV franchise frenzy – a sales spree that resulted in hundreds of territories sold to dozens of franchisees in recent years.  An analysis of the Franchise Sidekick website archives shows waning enthusiasm and a downgrade in brand status from the top classification of Superhuman to middling Accelerated to the lowest designation of Standard.  Could negative outcomes, franchisee exits & disclosure irregularities be prompting brokers to Side-kick last year’s hot new franchise to the curb?  by Sean Kelly 

(UnhappyFranchisee.com) Franchise brokerage Franchise Sidekick and DonutNV FSO (Franchise Sales Organization) Franchise Fastlane share a common founder (Ryan Zink) and, reportedly, a cooperative working relationship.

According to one insider, Franchise Sidekick is neither owned by nor controlled by Franchise Fastlane and  has the autonomy to promote – or not promote – whichever franchise opportunities it chooses.

Brokers are reportedly on edge about the fallout from such public Franchise Fastlane-related disasters such as the overnight implosion of Anchored Tiny Homes and the myriad, distressing complaints regarding Premier Martial Arts and other Unleashed Brands franchises. 

With their credibility damaged when one of their promoted brands gets mired in controversy, franchise brokers like Franchise Sidekick may be getting more diligent in their assessment of FF brands as a result.

While Franchise Fastlane’s much-hyped DonutNV “Semi-Absentee Passive Investor” mini-donut sensation DonutNV is still listed among Franchise Sidekick’s brands, there are indications that enthusiasm among Sidekick brokers has gone stale.

Invitation:  This post contains our opinions and questions for discussion purposes and exploration.  The companies and individuals discussed are invited to provide corrections, clarifications, explanations, rebuttals or other facts and opinions.  If we’re wrong, let us know via email or by posting a comment below.

DonutNV Appears to Have Fallen from Highest to Lowest Classification on Franchise Sidekick’s Website

Archived snapshots of the Franchise Sidekick website seem to indicate a downgrade in status:

December 3, 2022:  DonutNV was listed as one of its 19 “Superhuman* Brands”  [Source]

September 22, 2023:  DonutNV was listed as Superhuman/Accelerated (second tier, below Superhuman/Certified)  [Source]

November 11, 2024:  DonutNV was listed as Superhuman/Standard (third tier, below Superhuman/Certified, below Superhuman/Accelerated)  [Source]

April 2, 2025:  Currently, DonutNV is listed in the third category:  Superhuman/Standard [Source]

Once given Franchise Sidekick’s “Hero Award,” DonutNV is now grouped with such “Standard” franchise concepts as Scoop Brothers poop scooping, Resting Rainbow pet cremation, Bar-B-Clean barbecue cleaning, ohDeer wildlife repellant services & Toastique Gourmet Toast Bar.

Have negative franchisee outcomes and lack of disclosure & corporate transparency led them to Side-kick DonutNV to the curb?

Why is DonutNV is No Longer Hyped as One of Franchise Sidekick’s Top Brands?

Franchise Sidekick has a close-up, insider’s view of the DonutNV franchise opportunity.

They have access to the performance and the experiences of those they’ve placed with DonutNV.

One Franchise Fastlane advisor (Mike Flowers) is a former DonutNV franchisee.

While only Franchise Sidekick advisors can say for sure, here are some possibilities:

Franchisee Exits.  It appears that a franchise candidates placed by Franchise Sidekick have prematurely closed, were terminated or transferred their franchises to new owners.

• Franchise Sidekick advisor Mike Silverman obviously relied on DonutNV’s claim that its franchise could be run semi-absentee basis when he recommended multiple DonutNV territories to busy chiropractor Mark Schnobrich.  According to unconfirmed rumors and anonymous tips, Marc Schnobrich ended up turning over his equipment to DonutNV corporate and simply walked away from his substantial investment.
• TuRhonda Freeman placed candidate John Owens with DonutNV and FS featured him in a video interview on starting a family business.  What transpired from there is a mystery, but the Owens’ family is not running a DonutNV family business.  (More below)

Trustworthiness.  Franchise brokers like Franchise Sidekick depend on the franchisor to provide complete and accurate Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) to the prospective franchisees they advise.  

Franchise Sidekick brokers are reportedly aware that not all franchises or franchisees are accurately and fully disclosed in DonutNV’s FDDs.

Several franchisees, franchise agreements and transfers seem mysteriously absent from DonutNV Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs).

• John Owens, Ocala, FL, was Franchise Sidekick’s  TuRhonda Freeman’s client. The Owens’ franchise is not disclosed in the 2024 FDD.
• Rachelle and Thomas Hughes , Clermont, FL, were not disclosed in the 2024 FDD nor was the transfer of the store.
• Mike Flowers, Panama Cty, FL Even Franchise Sidekick advisor Mike Flowers and his Panama City, FL franchise do not appear in DonutNV FDDs as a franchisee or a former franchisee.  There is no disclosure of whether he closed, sold, transferred or relinquished.
• Daryl Poe, Pottstown, PA DonutNV has publicly celebrated Daryl Poe as their 2nd franchisee and owner of a Pottstown, PA franchise store.  Yet we can find no reference to Daryl Poe or a Pottstown, PA franchise in current or past FDDs (2022-2024).

Perhaps DonutNV’s Amanda & Alex Gingold or attorney Joseph Ferris can explain these lack of disclosure items and, where appropriate, include them in the 2025 FDD and state filings.  We invite corrections, explanations or rebuttals, as always.

Lack of a Transparent & Constructive Response to Franchisee Concerns & Complaints

Another possibility for the possible lower ranking by Franchise Sidekick could be the disappointing lack of a public response to DonutNV franchisee concerns shared by UnhappyFranchisee.Com.

Heavy handed attempts to suppress criticism such as bullying, threatening, & litigating those who publish franchisee concerns, or demanding  confidentiality agreements and gag orders to keep failed and failing franchisees from sharing their opinions and experiences often backfire.

Those tactics certainly don’t fool those whose reputations are tied to the success (or failure) of the franchisees they refer to them – like Franchise Sidekick.

Please share your candid & confidential opinions and information with an anonymous comment below, or by emailing the author at UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail[dot]com.

Also Read:

Is the DonutNV Franchise Too Good to be True?

DonutNV Franchise Earnings Claims: Accurate?  Or Intentionally Deceptive?

Franchise Brokers: Have ZERO DonutNV Franchise Owners Failed?

Do DonutNV Franchise Sellers Support Free Speech & Full Disclosure?

Has IFPG Stopped Promoting the DonutNV Franchise? 

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 Sidekick? 

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, DonutNV franchise opportunity, Donut franchise, Franchise Fastlane, Franchise Sidekick, franchise brokers, Alex Gingold, Amanda Gingold, Jake Hamburger, Franchise Sidekick, Franchoice, IFPG, Franserve, Franchise Brokers Association,