DonutNV Franchise

DonutNV Franchise Failures, Closures & Transfers: An Interactive List [UPDATED]

DonutNV & Franchise Fastlane sold 276 DonutNV franchise territories to 130 franchisees in less than two years.  Does closing lots of deals make the mini-donut concept a safe investment and viable franchise opportunity?  Is the DonutNV concept viable as a semi-absentee venture run alongside other businesses or a full-time job? The answer depends on how many of those franchisee investors achieved the profitability, average event revenue and adjusted gross sales represented in DonutNV advertising and sales presentations.   As many DonutNV franchisees are not permitted to share their candid opinions or experiences, brokers and prospects should look at DonutNV franchisee turnover… including closures, transfers, and sales… to assess the risk of the DonutNV franchise.  by Sean Kelly

Updated Exits added: 9/30/25 Cincinnati OH Andrew Wobser, 9/11/25 Amarillo, TX James Grant, Jamie Grant 7/15/25. Exits added Windsor, CO Jeremiah & Chrystal Bell, Fort Lauderdale, FL Marie Groves, JoJo Groves. For Sale added: Natick, MA Jeff Bruce, Jacob Bruce

(UnhappyFranchisee.com)  We extend our condolences to all the individuals and families, including Veterans and military family members, whose American Dream of building a successful franchise business didn’t work out – for what ever reason.

We know that the columns in the FDD for Terminations, Ceased Operation and Transfers are not just numbers – they represent lost savings, retirement, and educational funds, crushing debt, marital and family strain, depression, and even home foreclosure. Military Veterans, the #1 target of franchise sellers, may have the added strain of worsening PTSD, garnishment of military and disability benefits, and loss of security clearances they need to rebuild financially.

In order to avoid these devastating consequences, prospective franchisees should be able to base their decisions on factual, verifiable information on the performance and outcomes of current & recent franchisees. 

We received reports from DonutNV franchisees that some of the information provided in the company’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) was incomplete, inaccurate and/or misleading.  Franchisees expressed their opinions that the sales and profit representations were misleading, that the costs and hours required were understated, and that the franchisor failed to disclose all franchisee failures and/or ownership transfers.

DonutNV’s Scott & Amanda Gingold have, thus far, declined to publicly respond or to openly address or refute these allegations.

In order to discuss & (hopefully) independently validate the Item 20 disclosures of the 2025 FDD, we’re inviting those familiar with DonutNV to contribute what they know about the performance  of DonutNV franchises to date.

The lists below are unofficial works in progress, subject to further verification and, with your help, correction.  Some info (gleaned from public & private sources) may be incorrect.  We have linked to documentation where possible.  Please share additions, clarifications and corrections through the comment sections below (your email address won’t be public) through confidential email (UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail{dot]Com], Whatsapp or Signal.  DonutNV Franchising & Franchise Fastlane are invited to provide verified data.

DonutNV Franchisees Believed to Have Left the System

Arizona
Anthem Douglas Pillsbury

Arkansas
Little Rock Justin Rue

Colorado
Windsor Jeremiah & Chrystal Bell
Colorado Springs Matt Furman, Pam Hunter

Connecticut
Ridgefield Michael Zeitz, Jane Zeitz* [Link]

Florida
Clermont Rachelle & Thomas Hughes  (Veteran) [Link]
Clermont Nenad Markovic
Fort Lauderdale Marie Groves, JoJo Groves
Gotha Ronald Smith
Groveland Patty Aviles, Ana Markovic
Jacksonville Beach Kristen Gugliotta
Ocala John & Dana Owens  [Link]
Orlando , South Ludimilla & James Mazurek*
Panama City Mike Flowers [Link]
Riverview (2) Darlene Ortega, Luis Villamar [Link]
St. Augustine Michael Ryan [?]
Tampa Asher Rudolph*

Georgia
Cordele Mary Ann Huffman
Hilton Head Island Marc Schnobrich* [Link]
Roswell Matthew Moore, Elizabeth Moore
Savannah Matthew Johns
Savannah Patrick Fluegel
Woodstock Lee Alcorn* (Veteran) [Link]

Bogart Matthew Johns, Christy Johns [Link]
Bogart, GA may have mistakenly been reported as a possible exit

Kansas
Olathe – Sean Trumbly

Kentucky
Louisville Timothy Raque, Kristina Raque*

Massachusetts
Natick Jake Bruce**, Jeff Bruce
Minnesota
North Mankato Andrew Nessler, Christine Nessler

Nebraska
Omaha Jacob Hamburger & Jennifer Cain

New York
Islip Ken Stein, Melissa Stein

North Carolina
Charlotte Mount Holly Burt & Elizabeth Nassif[Link]
Advance (Winston-Salem) Christopher Doran, Luis Aviles

Ohio
Cincinnati Andrew Wobser

Pennsylvania
Greensburg
Chris Jones, Kathy Jones
Pittsburgh Cody Hannum, Lea Hannum

South Carolina
Rock Hill Jason Scott Wells & Mallory Outlaw (Dina Wells)

Tennessee
Chattanooga – Jay Henry

Texas
Amarillo James Grant, Jamie Grant
Burnet Christopher Bruckler, Stacey Bruckler
Frisco Mohammed Merchant
McKinney Matthew Miller, Rebecca Miller (4)
New Braunfels,Schertz Scott Larson, Stacy Larson

Virginia
Alexandria Pravesh Mallik
Midlothian Jim Russo*


* Purchased multiple territories, per FDD
** Status is unclear. Jake Bruce has advertised his franchise for sale & changed his LI status to “Past” owner, saying he was pursuing another venture. LI profile for his franchise broker father Jeff Bruce states he (Jeff) is a current co-owner.

DonutNV Franchises Listed for Sale (Past or Present)

Also read:  DONUTNV Franchise Owners Selling at a Loss

Delaware
Lewes Brad and Kristi Sutliffe

Florida
Emerald Coast Tyler Baker
Gainesville JW & Kim McNeal
Groveland Patty Aviles
Central Tampa
Sebring Dimitrios Panagiotopoulos
Wesley Chapel Kristen Desena Burgess

Iowa
Polk County

Kentucky
Richmond Michael Daniels, Kayla Daniels & Joseph Rogers III

Massachusetts
Natick Jeff Bruce, Jacob Bruce

New York
West Islip (Deer Park)   Melissa Stein
Pennsylvania
Greensburg Chris Jones, Kathy Jones

South Carolina
York County  Rock Hill Scott & Dina Wells (?)

Tennessee
Chattanooga – Jay Henry
Columbia Culleoka Steven and Duana Ray
Cookeville Chad & Bonny Day
? Used DonutNV Trailer listed for sale

Virginia
Fairfax, VA

Utah
St. George Anthony and Holly White
Saratoga Springs (Levi?)  Tom Bowcut & Gabe Granata

DonutNV Franchisees Not Disclosed in Previous FDDs*

These are individuals publicly described as franchisees but who do not appear in any recent FDD.

The franchisor may have perfectly good reasons not to disclose them or their franchises; we invite the Gingolds and DonutNV to clear up this confusion.


DonutNV MultiUnit franchisees (Charlotte, NC) Burt & Elizabeth Nassif

DonutNV franchisee (Panama City, FL) Mike Flowers

DonutNV franchisees (Clermont, FL) Rachelle & Thomas Hughes
DonutNV’s 2nd franchisee (Pottstown, PA) Daryl Poe

DonutNV franchisees (Ocala, FL) John & Dana Owens

Please Help Us Improve & Update Our Unofficial DonutNV Status List

Hopefully, the 2025 DonutNV Franchise Disclosure Document (due out 4/31/25) and state registrations will be complete, accurate and do away with the need for a crowdsourced status report.

But for now we need your help:  Please post additions, corrections, clarifications or updates (in confidence) in the comments below, or through email, WhatsApp or Signal.

This list should be considered a work in progress and many of the entries are unverified or semi-verified. 

We invite those who have the answers (DonutNV Franchising, Scott & Amanda Gingold and Franchise Fastlane) for their help in creating an accurate, up-to-date list.

Also Read:

DonutNV References/Documentation:

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 opportunity, DonutNV franchise failures, DonutNV closed, Franchise Fastlane, Alex Gingold, Amanda Gingold, Scott Gingold, Jake Hamburger, Jennifer Cain, Mike Flowers, Franchise Sidekick, Franchoice, IFPG, Attorney Joseph Ferris, Joe Ferris, Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP

unhappyzee

View Comments

  • So many lives destroyed by this joke franchise. They did everything possible to separate prospective franchisees from their hard earned savings, retirement, etc. relying on scumbag sales tactics and fraudulent numbers all while laughing their way to the bank when all these franchisees realized they'd been sold a bill of goods. Sad..... hopefully the karma train is inbound

  • This seems so familiar.
    HomeFront Brands (HFB) markets itself as a new breed of franchise platform — “purpose-driven,” “founder-friendly,” and “built for modern operators.” But behind the polished branding, franchisees across multiple HFB brands — including Top Rail Fence — report a much darker reality: lack of operational support, misleading earnings expectations, and aggressive pressure to keep struggling owners locked in.

  • Additional Exits added:

    James & Jamie Grant (Austin, TX)
    Andrew Wobser (Cincinnati, OH)

    Andrew Wobser left in August 2025 after 2 years 2 months according to LinkedIn.

  • More DonutNV franchise exits:

    PA Greensburg Chris Jones Feb 2024 - Dec 2025 · 1 yr 11 mos
    PA Pittsburgh Lea Hannum Dec 2022 - Dec 2025 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    FL Wesley Chapel Kristen Desena Burgess trying to sell trailer

  • AR Little Rock Justin Rue, NAVY Veteran, exited May 2026 (LinkedIn)

    GA Savannah Patrick Fluegel exited October 2025

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