Company Story
1937 - Vernon Rudolph, a skilled baker, buys a yeast-based doughnut shop in Paducah, Kentucky, and begins selling doughnuts to local grocery stores.
1947 - Rudolph perfects his secret yeast-raised doughnut recipe and begins selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
1955 - Rudolph opens the first Krispy Kreme store in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and begins selling doughnuts directly to customers.
1960 - Krispy Kreme begins franchising its stores, leading to rapid expansion across the southeastern United States.
1976 - Vernon Rudolph dies, and the company is sold to Beatrice Foods.
1982 - A group of franchisees, led by Joseph A. McAleer Sr., buys Krispy Kreme back from Beatrice Foods and begins to revitalize the brand.
1995 - Krispy Kreme begins to expand nationally, opening stores in new markets across the United States.
2000 - Krispy Kreme goes public with an initial public offering (IPO).
2003 - Krispy Kreme expands internationally, opening its first store in Canada.
2010 - Krispy Kreme celebrates its 75th anniversary and continues to expand globally, with over 500 stores in 21 countries.
2016 - Krispy Kreme is acquired by JAB Holding Company, a private investment firm.