Happy 70th birthday, Shipley's

It seems that every day, some local company is losing its identity — think Foley's. So it's nice to find a company that never changes, especially when it makes something as close to Houstonist's heart as doughnuts — like Shipley Do-nuts, which is celebrating its 70th birthday this year. The company has grown to a chain of 200 stores spread through six southern states — and it's done it all without fancy coffees or Hot Donuts Now. (Not that there's anything wrong with Krispy Kreme, but as we know, it's on its way out.)

Shipley's was — and is — a family-owned company that uses the same recipe founder Lawrence Shipley Sr. came up with in the 1930s. The doughnut mix, and everything else Shipley's stores need from bags to toilet paper, are shipped from the Shipley's warehouse on North Main Street in Houston. The stores make fresh doughnuts every morning; the most popular type is the plain glazed. As for Shipley's success all these years, it has a lot to do with keeping the franchises happy, analyst Steve Hockett told the Chronicle:

Shipley knew what it had to do to make the franchisees successful — demand consistency, provide support and build a strong brand, Hockett said.

"That has a long-term impact," he said. "If the franchisees are making money, then they are very happy. If franchisees can't make money, it's hard to make money in any market with any concept. The Shipley franchisees may not agree with everything done by the Shipleys; they sure must like the business if it's profitable."

As much as we enjoyed Hot Donuts Now at Krispy Kreme, Shipley's hot glazed doughnuts will always be our favorite. Speaking of which, isn't it about time for lunch?