Ever wonder how one of the world's most beloved doughnut empires got its start? It all traces back to the summer of 1937, when a young entrepreneur named Vernon Rudolph decided to chase an ambitious vision. Armed with a top-secret yeast-raised doughnut recipe he'd picked up from an old chef in New Orleans, Rudolph wasn't about to let the financial hardships of the Great Depression hold him back. He secured a rundown warehouse in North Carolina, began cranking out doughnuts, and placed them in local grocery stores. Before long, word got around that you could show up at his warehouse between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. and grab doughnuts piping hot and fresh straight from the oven — and people couldn't get enough. That groundswell of enthusiasm paved the way for Rudolph to formally launch Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. on July 13, 1937.

From those scrappy beginnings, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. took off during the 1950s and 1960s, expanding well beyond its North Carolina roots to blanket most of the Southeastern states. The brand built its reputation around the irresistible "hot and fresh" doughnut experience. Of course, the journey hasn't always been smooth — the company has weathered its share of obstacles over the decades, from shifting away from private ownership toward a franchise model to dealing with overexpansion and financial troubles. Still, as of 2022, Krispy Kreme has made meaningful strides toward finding its footing again. Now operating as a global brand with locations in over 35 countries, the company has even unveiled a collaboration with McDonald's. Through it all, their iconic "hot and fresh" glazed doughnuts continue to be one of the most coveted treats across the United States.

Fun Facts about Krispy Kreme:

  • The recipe behind their legendary glazed doughnut is still a tightly kept secret, passed down through generations within the company.
  • Krispy Kreme counts numerous celebrities among its devoted fans — notably Shaquille O'Neal, who personally owns several franchises across the country.
  • Thanks to a mobile app, customers can track exactly when doughnuts are being made and ready to buy, complete with a "hot and fresh" alert notification.
  • The original Krispy Kreme location in North Carolina is still up and running, drawing doughnut enthusiasts who make the pilgrimage to where it all began.