80 Years For Krispy Kreme Means A Dozen Doughnuts For 80 Cents

Thousands of people will be standing in line today July 14, 2017, starting at 6:00 a.m. to take part in the 80th anniversary of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Krispy Kreme will be offering, buy one dozen doughnuts get the second dozen for 80 cents. Although Thursday, was Krispy Kreme’s actual 80th-anniversary, they will celebrate on Friday since it’s closer to the weekend.
“Folks are usually in a lighter mood, and hopefully the weather won’t be too hot, but our Memphis folks are used to a little heat, “said Local Marketing Manager, Tim France.
Krispy Kreme was founded in 1937 by Vernon Rudolph and Ishmael Armstrong in Nashville, Tenn. The first Krispy Kremes were sold in grocery stores in Winston-Salem, N.C. The creators bought the recipe from a French chef in New Orleans. Today, they have locations in states across the country, Canada, and throughout the world. 
Manager at a Memphis location, Linda Powell, said it will be all hands on deck as all employees will be working today. They have to come in at 3 a.m. to prepare for the throng of customers who will be lining up for the original glazed doughnut, or the jelly filled donuts, which have to be prepared especially early because of the cooling process that is required. 
Kalci Norwood remembered last year she was a customer, but this year she is an employee. While she loved receiving the doughnuts on last year, she is now preparing to be on the other side of the counter. One of Norwood’s tasks on tomorrow will be to pass out doughnut holes in the drive-thru line while customers wait.
“I usually stay up late, but tonight I will be going to bed extra early to prepare myself for the big day tomorrow,” Norwood said.
The regular glazed doughnuts usually sell for around $8 a dozen, and the specialty ones sell for about $9 a dozen.  This equates to about 36 cents, per doughnut-a great deal. As a part of the birthday celebration, Krispy Kreme will have a specialty doughnut, called Cake Batter, which will be placed on the menu for a couple of weeks following the anniversary.
This week has been busy for food specials offered by national chains. On Tuesday, Chick-fil-A gave out free food to people wearing cow costumes in appreciation of Cow Day, and McDonald’s will be taking advantage of National Ice Cream Day by giving away free ice cream. As a part of McDonald’s promo, customers can download a free app and participants will be entered for a chance to win free ice cream each week for 50 years.  People will be taking advantage of these great summer snack promotions all over the world.

Krisitn Jackson is a student at the Meek School of Journalism. She can be reached at kljacks2@go.olemiss.edu.