Full History Of Krispy Kreme In Timeline From 1915

1915: Vernon Rudolph Born

In 1915, Vernon Rudolph, the founder of Krispy Kreme, was born.

1931: Reimann Sr.'s Donation to the SS

In 1931, Albert Reimann Sr., who ran the family business, donated to the SS two years before Hitler became chancellor, highlighting his support for the Nazi Party.

1933: Vernon Rudolph began working for his uncle

In 1933, Vernon Rudolph began working for his uncle Ishmael Armstrong at a general store in Paducah, Kentucky, selling doughnuts.

1934: Move to Nashville

In 1934, Vernon Rudolph and his uncle moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to focus on selling doughnuts.

1937: Krispy Kreme Founded

In 1937, Vernon Rudolph founded Krispy Kreme in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, selling doughnuts to local grocery stores.

1937: Rudolph Opened His Own Store

In 1937, Vernon Rudolph opened his own Krispy Kreme store in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

1939: First Krispy Kreme outside the South

In 1939, the first Krispy Kreme bakery outside the South opened in Akron, Ohio.

1955: Introduction of Fundraising Kits

Since 1955, Krispy Kreme has offered fundraising kits for organizations to sell doughnuts and split the proceeds for various causes.

1973: Vernon Rudolph's Death

In 1973, Vernon Rudolph, the founder of Krispy Kreme, passed away.

1976: Subsidiary of Beatrice Foods

In 1976, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Beatrice Foods of Chicago, Illinois.

1982: Franchisees Purchase Corporation Back

In 1982, a group of franchisees purchased the corporation back from Beatrice Foods.

April 5, 2000: Krispy Kreme Went Public

On April 5, 2000, Krispy Kreme went public on the NASDAQ at $21 using the ticker symbol KREM.

2000: Public Offering

In 2000, Krispy Kreme initiated an ambitious expansion as a public company.

May 17, 2001: Switched to New York Stock Exchange

On May 17, 2001, Krispy Kreme switched to the New York Stock Exchange, with the ticker symbol KKD.

December 2001: First Store Outside US

In December 2001, Krispy Kreme opened its first store outside the US in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

August 2003: Stock Reaches All-Time High

In August 2003, Krispy Kreme stock reached its all-time high of $50 on the New York Stock Exchange.

2003: Profits from franchise supplies

In 2003, Krispy Kreme earned profits by requiring franchisees to purchase mix and equipment from its KKM&D division, marking up prices at the expense of franchisees.

2003: Expansion led to oversaturation

In 2003, analysts suggested that rapid expansion after the IPO, while initially growing revenues, ultimately reduced the profitability of individual franchisees due to market saturation.

February 2004: Reported Sales

For the fiscal year ending in February 2004, Krispy Kreme reported sales of $665.6 million and operating profits of $94.7 million from almost 400 stores.

May 2004: Missed Quarterly Estimates

In May 2004, Krispy Kreme missed quarterly estimates for the first time and suffered its first loss as a public company.

December 16, 2004: First store opened in South Korea

On December 16, 2004, Krispy Kreme opened their first store in South Korea.

August 2005: Report on Accounting Scandals Released

In August 2005, a report was released blaming then-CEO Livengood and then-COO Tate for accounting scandals, although it did not find intentional fraud.

December 2005: Turnaround Plan

In December 2005, Krispy Kreme initiated a turnaround plan to close unprofitable stores in order to avoid bankruptcy.

2006: Move into Television and Radio Advertising

In 2006, Krispy Kreme began using television and radio advertisements, starting with the "Share the Love" campaign and heart-shaped doughnuts.

February 19, 2007: Introduction of Whole Wheat Glazed Doughnut

On February 19, 2007, Krispy Kreme introduced the Whole Wheat Glazed doughnut to appeal to health-conscious consumers.

January 2008: Reduction of Trans Fat Content

As of January 2008, Krispy Kreme reduced the trans fat content in all its doughnuts to 0.5 grams or less, allowing them to advertise the doughnuts as "trans fat-free".

March 4, 2009: SEC Issued Cease and Desist Order

On March 4, 2009, the SEC issued a cease and desist order against Krispy Kreme for actions inflating revenues and illicit activities, reducing net income by over $10.5 million.

July 1, 2010: Introduction of Cheerwine Doughnut

On July 1, 2010, Krispy Kreme introduced a Cheerwine-flavored doughnut, sold in grocery stores and later in the Salisbury, North Carolina location due to its popularity.

2010: Krispy Kreme Express Testing

In 2010, Krispy Kreme Express, a delivery service for businesses, began testing at a location in Greensboro, North Carolina.

June 2011: Harrods Department Store Location Closed

In June 2011, the Krispy Kreme store in Harrods department store in London closed.

July 2011: Cheerwine Kreme Doughnut Expansion

In July 2011, the Cheerwine Kreme doughnut returned and expanded its availability to Tennessee and Roanoke, Virginia.

August 2011: Expansion Planned in Japan and Mexico

In August 2011, Krispy Kreme's Japan operation planned to increase stores from 21 to 94, and Mexico planned to increase from 58 to 128 in five years.

2012: Plans to open additional stores in the UK

In 2012, Krispy Kreme in the United Kingdom had plans and funding to open further stores.

January 19, 2013: First Store in India

On January 19, 2013, Krispy Kreme opened its first store in India, located in Bangalore, Karnataka.

September 25, 2013: Colombia expansion

On September 25, 2013, Krispy Kreme announced the opening of 25 stores in Colombia within 5 years, marking their first South American location.

December 12, 2013: First store in Taipei, Taiwan

On December 12, 2013, Krispy Kreme opened its first store in Taipei, Taiwan.

July 23, 2014: First store in Chennai

On July 23, 2014, Krispy Kreme launched its first shop in Chennai, India, at Express Avenue mall.

October 2014: Opened another store in Colombia

In October 2014, Krispy Kreme opened another store in Colombia in Bogotá and Chía, Cundinamarca.

December 16, 2014: Celebrated 100th store in South Korea

On December 16, 2014, Krispy Kreme celebrated their 100th store opening in South Korea.

2014: $1,685 Fundraising Doughnut

In 2014, Krispy Kreme released a $1,685 doughnut covered in 24-karat gold and edible diamonds, filled with Dom Pérignon champagne jelly, as part of a fundraising effort for The Children's Trust.

February 2015: Controversy over "KKK Wednesday" Promotion

In February 2015, a Krispy Kreme branch in Kingston upon Hull, England, faced controversy after promoting a children's event as "KKK Wednesday" on Facebook, due to its abbreviation sharing with the Ku Klux Klan. The event was promptly canceled, and the company apologized and launched an investigation.

February 24, 2015: 1,000th Store Opened

On February 24, 2015, Krispy Kreme opened its 1,000th shop, in Kansas City, Kansas.

May 18, 2015: Agreement to Open Shops in South Africa

On May 18, 2015, Krispy Kreme announced an agreement to open 31 shops in South Africa over five years, marking their first venture into Africa.

September 10, 2015: Development agreement with Agape Coral

On September 10, 2015, Krispy Kreme signed a development agreement with Agape Coral, SAC to open 24 shops over the next five years in Peru.

November 25, 2015: First Store in Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa Opened

On November 25, 2015, Krispy Kreme opened its first store in Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa.

December 2, 2015: Largest store opened in the UK

On December 2, 2015, Krispy Kreme opened its largest store in the United Kingdom in Glasgow, Scotland.

May 5, 2016: First store opened in Bangladesh

On May 5, 2016, Krispy Kreme opened their first store in Bangladesh at Banani in Dhaka.

May 2016: JAB Holding Company Offered to Purchase Krispy Kreme

In May 2016, JAB Holding Company made an offer to purchase Krispy Kreme for $1.35 billion.

July 27, 2016: Acquisition by JAB Beech

On July 27, 2016, Krispy Kreme was acquired by JAB Beech. Under the terms of the transaction, company shareholders received $21 per share in cash for each share they own.

July 27, 2016: Acquisition by JAB Holding Company Completed

On July 27, 2016, the transaction for JAB Holding Company to acquire Krispy Kreme was completed, taking the company private.

September 2016: Most stores in Asia-Pacific region

As of September 2016, Krispy Kreme held the most stores in the Asia-Pacific region with 129 stores.

November 5, 2016: First store in Kópavogur, Iceland

On November 5, 2016, Krispy Kreme opened its first store in Kópavogur, Iceland.

2016: Return to Private Ownership

In 2016, Krispy Kreme returned to private ownership under JAB Holding Company.

January 12, 2017: First store in Panama City, Panama

On January 12, 2017, Krispy Kreme opened its first store in Panama City, Panama.

May 25, 2017: Announcement of Krispy Kreme Jelly Belly Jelly Beans

On May 25, 2017, Krispy Kreme doughnut-flavored Jelly Belly jelly beans were announced.

December 2017: Moved Corporate Headquarters to Charlotte

In December 2017, Krispy Kreme moved its corporate headquarters to Charlotte, North Carolina.

January 27, 2018: Krispy Kreme Opens First Store in Guatemala

On January 27, 2018, Krispy Kreme expanded its international presence by opening its first store in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

February 28, 2018: Krispy Kreme Opens First Store in New Zealand

On February 28, 2018, Krispy Kreme marked its entry into the New Zealand market with the opening of its first store in Manukau, Auckland.

March 10, 2018: Krispy Kreme Opens First Store in Nigeria

On March 10, 2018, Krispy Kreme continued its global expansion by opening its first store in Ikeja City Mall, Lagos, Nigeria.

September 26, 2018: Krispy Kreme Opens First Store in Ireland

On September 26, 2018, Krispy Kreme opened its first store in Dublin, Ireland, which subsequently became their most profitable store worldwide.

2018: Over 100 stores in UK

As of 2018, there are over 100 stand alone Krispy Kreme stores in the UK, and a presence in 500 Tesco stores.

2018: Acquired Insomnia Cookies

In 2018, Krispy Kreme acquired bakery chain Insomnia Cookies.

August 5, 2019: Release of Reese's Branded Doughnuts

On August 5, 2019, Krispy Kreme released two new Reese's-branded doughnuts, "chocolate lovers" and "peanut butter lovers", to the public.

2019: Admission of Family Profiting from Forced Labor

In 2019, the wealthy Reimann family, who owns a controlling stake in Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, admitted they profited from forced labor during World War II.

July 2020: Launch of Candy-Coated Doughnuts

In July 2020, Krispy Kreme launched several candy-coated doughnuts with Nerds, Jelly Belly jelly beans, sour gummies, and marshmallows.

August 25, 2020: Launched First Vending Machine

On August 25, 2020, Krispy Kreme launched its first vending machine in North Carolina, featuring 3-packs of doughnuts available 24 hours a day.

September 2020: Introduction of Pumpkin Spice Doughnut Collection

In September 2020, Krispy Kreme introduced a seasonal Pumpkin Spice Doughnut Collection with four different flavors.

2020: Quietly left Bangladesh

Around 2020, Krispy Kreme quietly left Bangladesh.

January 2021: Launch of Vegan Doughnut in the UK

During Veganuary in January 2021, Krispy Kreme UK launched its Original Glazed vegan doughnut.

March 2021: Free Doughnuts for Vaccinated Customers

In March 2021, Krispy Kreme announced a promotion offering a free Original Glazed doughnut daily to customers in the US who proved they received a COVID-19 vaccine, sparking both support and criticism from physicians and the public.

May 2021: Filed for Initial Public Offering

In May 2021, Krispy Kreme confidentially filed for an initial public offering to go public again.

July 1, 2021: Went Public Again

On July 1, 2021, Krispy Kreme went public again on the Nasdaq under the name Krispy Kreme Inc.

July 2021: Re-listed on Nasdaq

In July 2021, Krispy Kreme became publicly traded again on the Nasdaq.

December 2021: Launch of Additional Vegan Doughnut Flavors in the UK

In December 2021, Krispy Kreme UK launched three more vegan doughnut flavors: Fudge Brownie Bliss, Caramel Choc Delight, and Apple Custard Crumble.

May 13, 2023: Krispy Kreme Opens First Store in Costa Rica

On May 13, 2023, Krispy Kreme continued its expansion into Central America with the opening of its first store in Costa Rica.

December 2023: Krispy Kreme Expands to France

In December 2023, Krispy Kreme expanded to France with its first store in Paris, which plans to produce 45,000 doughnuts per day and features a menu tailored to French tastes.

March 26, 2024: Partnership with McDonald's Announced

On March 26, 2024, Krispy Kreme and McDonald's announced a partnership to roll out Krispy Kreme doughnuts to all McDonald's locations nationwide by the end of 2026.

August 9, 2024: Krispy Kreme Opens First Store in Morocco

On August 9, 2024, Krispy Kreme expanded its presence in Africa by opening its first store in Morocco.

2024: Dolly Southern Sweets Doughnuts Collection

In 2024, Krispy Kreme launched the Dolly Southern Sweets Doughnuts Collection, inspired by Dolly Parton, featuring four new flavors for a limited time.

2026: National Rollout to McDonald's

By the end of 2026, Krispy Kreme doughnuts are planned to be in all McDonald's locations as part of the announced partnership on March 26, 2024.

History of Krispy Kreme in Timeline