30s
1937
WE OPENED OUR DOORS ON JULY 13, 1937
Vernon Rudolph bought a secret yeast-raised doughnut recipe from a New Orleans French chef, rented a building in what is now historic Old Salem in Winston-Salem, NC, and began selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts to local grocery stores.
The delicious scent of cooking doughnuts drifted into the streets, and passers-by stopped to ask if they could buy hot doughnuts. So, he cut a hole in an outside wall and started selling hot Original Glazed doughnuts directly to customers on the sidewalk.
40s
1944
Birth of the Display Case
After the war, a showcase was designed for this space. The top served as the counter. Since cake doughnuts and cake sticks were made as well as yeast doughnuts, an attractive display could be made of the variety. The display case is a feature you cannot miss when entering our stores today.
1945
Original Glazed - Then and Now
While times had changed a lot the company's signature Original Glazed Doughnut stayed the same.
50s
1955
Bowtie gets Trademarked
The Krispy Kreme bowtie logo is trademarked with familiar green and red coloring.
Fundraising Begins
Krispy Kreme Fundraising- Special business ordering from churches, schools, clubs and other organizations took an upswing in 1955, and has grown steadily.
Using the Fund Raising Plan to sell doughnuts has enabled many schools to buy uniforms and take school trips. The Plan has also helped organizations buy air conditioners, pianos, and libraries for schools. It has helped to fund scholarship programs.
60s
1963
Production
Hand production was a thing of the past when automation took over. The planning and timing of production became a vital task.
70s
1973
Vernon Rudolph Dies
Krispy Kreme held in trust by a bank for three years; at this point Krispy Kreme has grown to a southeastern chain with 60 shops.
80s
1989
First Retail Store
The first retail-only store is opened which brings the doughnuts out to the customer on the 180 curve. This first location is on High Point Road in Greensboro, NC.
The innovative menu system helped shops to be able to order products at a much faster pace than the former paper ordering system. A team member testing the program at the launch said, "I can order in fifteen minutes. It's amazing. I can change orders when necessary and then print my tickets." Since this time, the Krispy Kreme Information Services Department has been researching innovative solutions to provide ease to team members and guests.
90s
1992
Birth of the Hot Light
The Hot Doughnuts Now light was developed.
00s
2009
FIRST RETAIL STORE IN MALAYSIA
The first retail store opened on 27 April 2009 in Berjaya Time Square, Kuala Lumpur
10s
2011
New Krispy Kreme Coffee
Krispy Kreme proudly announces the launch of its new Krispy Kreme Signature Coffee Blends at participating U.S. and Canada locations. Three specially crafted coffee blends "WORTHY" of its one-of-a-kind doughnuts. This also opened the door for speciality coffee blends.
Play Video
2012
we Celebrate the 500th International Location
We celebrated our 500th international opening in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Since opening our first international location in 2001, we have expanded into 21 international markets.
Krispy Kreme's 75th Birthday
2014
A NEW PRESIDENT
Appointment of new Krispy Kreme President and CEO, Tony Thompson
