Beech Tree News Network

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, my favorite doughnuts, opened their doors on July 13, 1937.  That was the year of the Rochester flood, by the way, but that’s neither here nor there.  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, North Carolina, and began selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts to local grocery stores. The delicious scent of cooking doughnuts drifted into the streets, and passers-by asked if they could stop and 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.
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 a Krispy Kreme today.  While times have changed, the company’s signature glazed doughnut (still my favorite) has not.
The Krispy Kreme bowtie that you see on the logo was trademarked in 1955, complete with familiar green and red coloring.  Also in ’55, special business ordering from churches, schools, clubs and other organizations took an upswing and has grown steadily.  Using the fundraising plan to sell doughnuts has enabled many schools to buy uniforms and take trips.  The plan has helped organizations buy air conditioners, pianos and libraries for schools.  It has helped fund school programs, as Butler County can attest in the past.
Production changed in 1963, as automation took over hand production of the doughnuts.  In 1973, founder Vernon Rudolph passed away.  Krispy Kreme was held in trust by a bank for three years, at this point Krispy Kreme had grown into a Southeastern chain with 60 shops.  Fast-forward to 1989.  The first retail-only Krispy Kreme opened that year, which brings doughnuts out to customers on the 180 curve.  This first location is on High Point Road in Greensboro, N.C.
1992 saw the birth of the hot light.  There would be nothing new under the hot light, as it were, until 2000.  That year, new shaped doughnuts rolled out, including the highly popular heart doughnut.  In December 2001, the first international store opened just outside of Toronto, Canada.  In 2011, Krispy Kreme proudly announced the launch of its new Krispy Kreme Signature Coffee Blends at participating U.S. and Canada locations.  Three specifically crafted coffee blends “worthy” of its one-of-a-kind doughnuts.  This also opened the door for specialty coffee blends.
The hot light app launched and in 2012, the 500th International location was celebrated.  That location was opened in Aguascalientes, Mexico.  Since opening the original International location in 2001, they’ve expanded into 21 International markets. 
Reminiscent of the early ‘40’s when Krispy Kreme mobilized its small fleet of delivery trucks to bring their signature doughnuts to fans of all ages, last year’s tour set out to bring the celebration of their 75th birthday to Krispy Kreme fun-atics of across the country.  In 2013, Krispy Kreme celebrated the 100th shop in Mexico, opening it in Cancun.  Along with Cancun, Krispy Kreme has locations in Mexico City, Puebla, Cuernavaca, Monterrey, Leon, Guadalajara, and Aguascalientes.  On June 1, 2014, Tony Thompson was appointed CEO and President.
Later, Krispy Kreme coffee was introduced in K-Cup packs.  In February 24, 2015, store 1000 opens in Kansas City, Kansas.  For those wondering when Krispy Kreme opened in Bowling Green, my prayers were answered on December 3, 2014.