Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. is a coffeehouse and doughnut shop chain owned by JAB Holding Company (which also owns Panera Bread, Peet’s Coffee and more), based in Winston-Salem, N.C. The 362-location chain ranks seventh in the coffee chain category, behind Daylight Donuts, and is known for their original glazed doughnuts made fresh in stores.

Krispy Kreme was founded by Vernon Rudolph in 1934, when he began selling his yeast doughnuts to grocery stores and convenience stores. In 1937, he opened his first store and in 1939, the first Krispy Kreme bakery opened in Ohio. In 1976, Krispy Kreme was owned by Beatrice Foods and a group of franchisees bought the company back in 1982. In 2000, the company filed an initial public offering. During the mid-aughts, the company suffered some shaky sales and in 2016, went private after being acquired by JAB Holding.

In August 2020, Krispy Kreme opened its flagship location in New York City, complete with a glaze waterfall.

Most recently, Krispy Kreme filed again for an IPO in May 2021, which will bring the company public for a second time. Also in 2021, the company began offering a free original glazed doughnut every day to any customer vaccinated against the coronavirus all year.   

Key Data: Krispy Kreme

Headquarters: Winston-Salem, N.C.

Segment: Quick Service

Restaurant Segment: LSR Coffee

Number of US locations: 362

2020 Sales: $214.6 million

Annual Growth:

Source: Datassential Firefly 500

CEO: Mike Tattersfield

Parent: JAB Holding Co.