Lee's Donuts Plus Ltd

What Lee's Donuts Plus Ltd does

Lee's Donuts Plus Ltd is a privately held specialty donut retailer founded in 1979 by Alan and Betty-Ann Lee at the Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company produces handmade donuts daily from scratch using original 1979 recipes and all-natural ingredients in small batches, with a core SKU set spanning yeast donuts (honey dip, jelly filled, Bavarian, etc.), vanilla cake donuts, and chocolate cake donuts. The business was acquired in 2017/2018 by Allan and Celine Bacani and is led by CEO Allan Bacani alongside President Cameron Jarvis (appointed January 2026).

The company operates 11 retail locations across Metro Vancouver as of January 2026, comprising six corporate-owned stores (Granville Island flagship, Gastown, Bentall Centre, Lower Lonsdale, McArthurGlen Outlet, Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal) and five franchise locations (Willowbrook, Steveston, Brentwood, Tsawwassen Mills, YVR Airport). Revenue is generated through unit-priced retail donut sales, catering and bulk pre-orders (minimum one dozen, 48-hour notice), branded merchandise (hoodies, tees, totes, mugs, lapel pins, Run Club capsule), and franchise fees (CA$45,000 one-time plus combined 10% royalties and marketing). Distribution is augmented by third-party delivery via DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Lee's Donuts has been featured on Netflix's Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner with David Chang and has won the Georgia Straight's Golden Plates award for donuts, supporting a brand-led growth strategy that includes franchise expansion across Canada (with Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto as stated targets), a new Oakridge anchor location in 2026, and a recurring calendar of limited-edition product drops and cultural collaborations under its 'Outside of the Box' creative platform.

Name

Lee's Donuts Plus Ltd

Legal name

Lee's Donuts

Website

https://leesdonuts.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lee's Donuts Plus Ltd is a privately held Vancouver-based specialty donut retailer operating 11 corporate and franchise locations across Metro Vancouver, producing handmade donuts daily from original 1979 recipes and selling merchandise and catering alongside retail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Donut Retail

NAICS

Baked Goods Retailers (445291), Retail Bakeries (311811)

SIC

Bakery Products (2050)

akta.pro primary industry

Donut Shops (THAFAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bread & Pastry Specialty Stores (CRAHAGAC)

Keywords

• Handmade donuts
• Fresh baked goods
• Donut retail chain
• Bakery franchise
• Catering pre-orders

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Retail Donut Sales: Direct retail sales of handmade donuts through corporate-owned and franchise locations across Metro Vancouver area. Products include single donuts, half-dozen, and dozen boxes.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel (hoodies, crewnecks, t-shirts), accessories (caps, tote bags, mugs), and collectibles (lapel pins). Available at select retail locations.
3. Catering and Bulk Orders: Pre-order catering service for events with minimum one dozen order. 48 hours notice required. Available for pickup at all locations.
4. Franchise Fees: Franchise program with one-time fees of $45,000 plus royalties and marketing fee totaling 10% combined. Currently expanding franchise network across Canada.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lee's Donuts operates a multi-location retail donut business producing and selling handmade, fresh daily donuts made from original 1979 recipes developed by founders Alan and Betty-Ann Lee. The company offers classic yeast donuts, vanilla cake donuts, and chocolate cake donuts, alongside branded merchandise, catering/pre-orders, third-party delivery, gift cards, and an expanding franchise program across Canada.

Product overview

Lee's Donuts is a classic donut retail business founded in 1979 at Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver, B.C. The company operates as a multi-location chain offering handcrafted donuts made from original recipes. The core product portfolio consists of Yeast Donuts (including signature Honey Dip), Vanilla Cake Donuts, and Chocolate Cake Donuts, all made fresh daily in small batches. The company has expanded beyond retail donuts into merchandise (OG Merch Line featuring hoodies, t-shirts, caps, totes, mugs, pins; Run Club Capsule limited editions; Retro Tee collaborations) and services (catering/pre-orders, third-party delivery via DoorDash/Uber Eats, gift cards). The business operates through both corporate-owned and franchise locations across Metro Vancouver and surrounding areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Outside of the Box: A platform for creative drops, cultural moments, and community-led experiences featuring limited runs and unexpected collaborations.
• Lee's Run Club

Products and services

• Yeast Donuts Classic yeast-based raised donuts including Honey Dip (most popular), Sugar Raised, Jelly Filled (raspberry), Blueberry Filled, Lemon Filled (lemon custard), Bavarian Filled (vanilla custard), and Mango Filled (mango custard). All made fresh daily from original 1979 recipes for walk-in retail customers.
• Vanilla Cake Donuts Cake-style vanilla donuts in flavours including Home Cut (plain vanilla), Glazed Cake, Cinnamon, Powdered, Dutch Crumb, Butter Crunch, Chocolate Crunch, Peanut, Coconut, and Cookie Monster. Handmade fresh daily from original recipes for retail customers.
• Chocolate Cake Donuts Chocolate-based cake donuts including Chocolate (chocolate cake with honey glaze), German Chocolate (with coconut), Dutch Chocolate (with cake crumb topping), and Double Chocolate. Handmade fresh daily and sold individually, by the half-dozen, or by the dozen.
• Lee's Donuts OG Merch Line Branded merchandise including Logo Hoodie (CA$70), Logo Crewneck (CA$60), Logo Tee (CA$35), Logo Tote Bag (CA$25), Original Logo Coffee Mug (CA$15), and Logo Lapel Pin (CA$5). Available exclusively at select Lee's Donuts locations.
• Run Club Capsule Merchandise Limited-run community-focused merchandise featuring Run Club branded items including caps (CA$44.10), t-shirts (CA$63), and totes (CA$36.75). Drop released as part of the Outside of the Box creative platform.
• Limited Edition Retro Tee Special edition t-shirt featuring original 1980s Lee's Donuts design, screen-printed locally in Vancouver by Good Luck Studios. Made from 100% ring spun cotton with twill label.
• Catering and Pre-Orders Bulk and catering order service for corporate events, parties, and special occasions requiring a minimum one dozen order. Orders placed via the Pre-Order form with 48 hours notice. Confirmation provided via email within 24-48 hours. Available for pickup at all locations.
• Delivery Service Third-party delivery service via DoorDash and Uber Eats platforms, providing customers on-demand access to Lee's Donuts products. Availability varies by location.
• Gift Cards Loadable and reloadable gift cards available for purchase at Lee's Donuts locations. Redeemable on both food and merchandise purchases.
• Lee's Donuts Franchise Program Franchise opportunity with a CA$45,000 one-time fee plus combined 10% royalties and marketing fee. Provides franchisees with the Lee's Donuts brand, original recipes, and operational systems. Expansion planned across Canada including Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and smaller B.C. centres.

Quantifiable outcome

• Featured on Netflix's Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner in 2019, resulting in permanent increased customer demand

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• JunbiminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 April 2026Three-day pop-up collaboration (April 3-5, 2026) at Lee's Donuts Gastown location featuring premium matcha drinks paired with classic donuts. Cross-border collaboration bringing U.S.-based matcha café brand to Vancouver for first major activation.
• Alabaster HomescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Development partnership for new Lee's Donuts location at Thesis mixed-use development in Oakridge neighbourhood. Award-winning architect Taizo Yamamoto designed the development. Lee's Donuts will be the anchor street-front retail tenant.
• Canuck Place Children's HospiceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026Annual Milk & Cookies campaign partnership. Lee's Donuts created limited-edition Milk & Cookies donut and donated $2,500 to support pediatric palliative care for children and families across B.C. and Yukon.
• FVDED in the ParkminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2024Limited edition Strawberry Lemonade donut collaboration at FVDED in the Park festival. Expanded from single Gastown location to all locations for entire month of June plus festival pop-up.
• Vancouver Food RunnersminorOthersVancouver Food Runners collects Lee's Donuts' excess leftover donuts for redistribution to those in need, supporting sustainability and community welfare.
• Too Good To GominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSurplus food marketplace app where Lee's Donuts sells leftover donuts at discounted prices, reducing waste while providing affordable options.
• YVR (Vancouver International Airport)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLee's Donuts opened at YVR Domestic Terminal (post security near Gate B14) as part of YVR's culinary program transformation. 14th local brand partnership since 2022.
• Local Coffee PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local coffee experts to improve Lee's coffee program, including creation of custom blend crafted specifically to pair with iconic donuts.
• Good Luck StudiosminorOthersScreen printing partner for Limited Edition Retro Tee merchandise. Locally based in Vancouver producing 100% ring spun cotton apparel with twill label.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lucky's Doughnuts: BC-based artisan donut brand. Comparable on handmade craft production, specialty flavors, and Western Canadian regional positioning.
• Cartems Donuterie: Vancouver-based craft donut shop with multiple locations. Direct local competitor with similar handmade, premium positioning and emphasis on specialty flavors.
• Voodoo Doughnut: Craft/premium donut chain with cult brand following, novelty flavors, and merchandise/cultural branding. Closest peer to Lee's Donuts on craft positioning, cultural cachet, and experiential retail model.
• Dunkin': Large donut and coffee QSR chain with strong franchise model. Comparable on core product, franchised retail format, and convenience-led customer occasions across North America.
• Jelly Modern Doughnuts: Canadian craft donut chain with multiple locations in Western Canada. Comparable on craft donut positioning, retail format, and regional Canadian footprint.
• Cinnabon: Specialty baked goods QSR chain focused on cinnamon rolls, operating primarily in malls and travel hubs. Comparable on occasion-based retail, mall and airport location strategy, and franchise model.
• Honeydip Donuts: Vancouver-based handmade donut shop. Direct local competitor in the same metro market with similar handmade, fresh-daily production approach and craft positioning.
• Krispy Kreme: Global donut QSR chain specializing in handmade-style glazed donuts. Most directly comparable to Lee's Donuts on product (donuts), retail format, and customer occasion, though at vastly larger scale and with mass-market positioning.
• Tim Hortons: Iconic Canadian QSR with donuts as a flagship product alongside coffee. Comparable on product mix, franchise model, and Canadian market focus; represents the mass-market counterpart to Lee's premium craft positioning.
• Top Pot Doughnuts: Seattle-based craft donut chain with multiple retail locations. Comparable on handmade craft donut production, vintage brand aesthetic, and coffee pairing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/leesdonuts.ca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lee-s-donuts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lee's Donuts Plus Ltd