Shipley Do-Nuts has been a Houston staple since Lawrence Shipley Sr. opened his first store in 1936.

The shops began to spread across Texas, then the entire Southeast. Now, the growing brand has its sights set on the Midwest — primarily major metropolitan areas like Kansas City.

The doughnut shop announced Wednesday that it was looking for franchisees in the Kansas City area, and they have since received “quite a few inquiries” about the market, particularly on the Kansas side.

Senior director of franchise development Mike Stout said he expects it will be at least a year before Kansas Citians can order hot glazed doughnuts and kolaches at a Shipley, but the immediate interest has affirmed his confidence.

“With the foodies in the Kansas City market and some of the growth you’ve had in some of the suburbs, I think our brand is gonna be great there,” he said.

Shipley is advertising franchising opportunities in Leawood, Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park, Independence and Lee’s Summit.

The doughnut shop sells typical doughnut flavors — chocolate iced, strawberry sprinkled — as well as specialty doughnuts like its cream-filled doughnut bar, iced and sprinkled doughnut holes and cinnamon twists.

Kolache options include its sausage, cheese and jalapeno kolache.

Shipley has been given nods from multiple food blogs and publications, like Pop Sugar’s list of “The Best Doughnut Shops in the US.”

Stout says business has been on the rise since Shipley was acquired by Texas private equity group Peak Rock Capital.

Shipley is currently in 12 states, including Alabama, Colorado, Mississippi and Arkansas.

The company is also looking for spots in Wichita and St. Louis.