Duck Donuts franchise owner Craig Hutchings said his group will open the first restaurant, which sells made-to-order doughnuts, this summer in the Shoppes at Bartram Park and hire about 30 people.
There could be more shops.
“We definitely have plans for additional locations in Jacksonville, but no set number,” Hutchings said.
Duck Donuts allows customers to create their own combination of coatings, toppings and drizzles on freshly made vanilla cake doughnuts.
The Pennsylvania-based company sells franchises.
The city is reviewing a permit application for a $160,000 project to build-out 1,400 square feet of space for the shop at 13820 Old St. Augustine Road. The duckdonuts.com site lists a shop on the side anchored by Publix Super Markets.
Shoppes at Bartram Park is off Interstate 95 in Duval County, near St. Johns County.
Tenants and other retailers at the Shoppes at Bartram Park include Kohl's, Hair Cuttery, Hallmark, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, First Watch, Panera Bread and Tropical Smoothie Cafe, for example.
Hutchings said the Bartram Park location was chosen because of its proximity both to Duval and St. Johns counties, “as well as the convenience of the plaza and other national brands represented there.”
Hours for Duck Donuts have not been determined, but generally the locations open at 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., he said.
“We look forward to growing our brand throughout Jacksonville,” he said.
Duck Donuts, founded in 2006, is based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Russ DiGilio founded the business in Duck, North Carolina, on the Outer Banks.
There are 78 open franchise locations in the U.S. and Chile and more than 145 additional contracts in 26 states, according to duckdonuts.com.
In Florida, three locations are in Boca Raton, Coconut Point and Estero.