10 Crazy Things You Never Knew About Krispy Kreme Did you know one location can produce up to 12,000 doughnuts an hour?

By Rose Leadem

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Saul Loeb | Getty Images

Going on 80 years this year, popular doughnut chain Krispy Kreme continues to have a huge cult-like following. Celebrities including Frances McDormand and Usher have all been caught biting into the sugary goodness. And according to comedian Chris Rock, Krispy Kreme is like "crack."

Although, no one's really sure what makes this sugary substance so delicious -- the recipe remains a Krispy Kreme secret -- but there are a lot of nuggets we did uncover about the doughnut franchise.

From making an appearance in the Guinness World Records to producing up to 12,000 doughnuts per hour, there are a number of things you probably never knew about the doughnut franchise.

Check out these 10 Krispy Kreme facts that might surprise you.

Krispy Kreme

It has been around for nearly 80 years.

Krispy Kreme was founded on July 13, 1937 in Winston-Salem, N.C. by Vernon Rudolph. That means the doughnut chain will be turning 80 this year.

Vernon initially began selling the tasty treats at a historic building rental in Old Salem and to local grocery stores. After much positive turnout, demand was so high that he sold the treats directly to customers through a window on the sidewalk too. With continual success, the company began expanding throughout the southeast in the early 1950s, with locations in cities like Savannah, Georgia.

In 1976, the company became a subsidiary of Beatrice Foods of Chicago but was bought by a group of franchisees in 1982 -- sparking rapid growth for the company.

Related: The 7 Biggest Fast-Food Successes of This Year

The glazed doughnut hasn’t changed since 1945.

Regardless of its humble beginnings, Krispy Kreme has always been known for its emblematic glazed doughnut. Today, the original glazed doughnut has stayed the same since 1945, and it's the franchise's top seller.
Krispy Kreme

The recipe is a Southern secret.

What makes Krispy Kreme's so delicious? The world may never know. It's rumored that founder Vernon Rudolph has a special recipe made from a New Orleans French chef stored away in a doughnut plant somewhere in North Carolina.
Mandel Ngan | Getty Images

Celebrities and public figures like Barack Obama go there.

Krispy Kreme is a hot spot for celebrity sightings. Back in 2012, President Barack Obama stopped by one of the franchise locations in Tampa to pick up three dozen doughnuts that he later dropped off at a fire station nearby. And he isn't the only star loving the sweet goodness of the Krispy Kreme doughnut.

From The Tonight Show's Jay Leno indulging in a box of Krispy Kremes on-air to Victoria Secret models Gisele Bundchen and Heidi Klum snacking on the sugary treats backstage at the famous Victoria's Secret fashion show, these famous stars also have a soft spot for Krispy Kreme.

Krispy Kreme

There’s a ‘hot light’ app.

Everyone knows that Krispy Kreme donuts are served best when they're fresh and hot. That's why the company makes it easy for its fans to find out which franchise locations are cooking up a fresh batch with their "hot light" app. The app tells users where Krispy Kreme's hot light is on, and even alerts customers when a hot light is on in a location near them.

Related: 8 Steps to Finding the Right Franchise

Krispy Kreme

You can order a custom-made Krispy Kreme wedding cake.

Forget about flour and frosting, spice up your wedding with a Krispy Kreme cake. That's right -- various Krispy Kreme locations around the world offer customized corporate and wedding spreads. From doughnut towers to individual boxes featuring happy couple's names, this item is a doughnut-lovers dream come true.

There’s an annual Krispy Kreme challenge

You could be a Krispy Kreme challenge champion if you are able to consume 2,400 calories, 12 doughnuts and walk five miles in an hour. The annual Krispy Kreme challenge is a charity event in February where participants run two and a half miles to a Krispy Kreme location, eat one dozen doughnuts and run back to the finish line in under an hour. The event is hosted in Raleigh, N.C. and donations are sent to a local philanthropy.

Krispy Kreme is in the Guinness World Records

In 2009, Krispy Kreme made its debut in the Guinness World Records for creating the largest box of doughnuts. Weighing 297 pounds and 10 ounces, the doughnut masterpiece was created by the Americana Group (Kuwait Food Company).
Stephen Chernin | Getty Images

There is only one Krispy Kreme location in New York City.

For the city that has everything -- turns out Krispy Kreme doughnuts aren't on that list. Although in the past there were a number of franchise locations in New York City, today there is only one located inside Penn Station.

Larger franchise locations can produce up to 12,000 doughnuts per hour.

On average, a typical Krispy Kreme "hot light" store can produce up to 3,000 doughnuts per hour. (A hot light store is a Krispy Kreme location that makes doughnuts in the store.) If you think that's impressive, even bigger stores can produce up to 12,000 doughnuts every 60 minutes.
Rose Leadem is a freelance writer for Entrepreneur.com. 

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Growing a Business

They Barely Had Enough Money to Set Up One Van. Now This Cleaning Company Is a Five-Star Operation With a Loyal Customer Base. Here's Their Secret to Growth.

Bronco Pro Kleen made Entrepreneur magazine and Yelp's America's "Favorite Mom and Pop Shops" list. Hear from the company on how it maintains a high level of service for Denver locals that continuously earns them 5-star reviews.

Business Ideas

This Teacher Sells Digital Downloads for $10. Her Side Hustle Now Makes Six Figures a Month: 'It Seems Too Good to Be True, But It's Not.'

When one middle school teacher needed to make some extra income, she started a remote side hustle with no physical products and incredibly low overhead. Now she brings in six figures each month, and offers courses teaching others how to do the same.

Culture

4 Ways to Maintain Company Culture in the Age of Constant Change

While this is a golden age of innovation, it's up to you to determine whether your company glitters from that gold.

Business News

Selling Song Catalogs Is a Billion-Dollar Business Now. But One Pending Sale — Called the 'Ultimate Partnership Betrayal' — Is Tearing an Iconic 1970s Pop Duo Apart.

Daryl Hall and John Oates, the pair behind hits "Rich Girl" and "Maneater," were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

Leadership

How to Win Over the Room With Effective Persuasion Skills

The art of persuasion is not just about the notes, the data, and the pitch; it's about creating a connection that resonates with the audience. We explore how a blend of story, active listening, and genuine interaction can not only capture attention but also win hearts and minds, setting the stage for achieving success in any meeting.

Business Ideas

4 Keys to an Unforgettable Customer Experience

Exceptional service goes beyond superficial platitudes and basic hospitality.