The Tragedy of Krispy Kreme

Yahoo Finance News ^ | October 13, 2009 | Carol Kopp

[ETL]

Krispy Kreme had been a popular doughnut chain in the South since 1937, but remained unknown to the rest of us until about 1996. That's when the first Krispy Kreme popped up in New York City, on West 23rd Street. ..."

Krispy Kreme stock hit a high of about $49 in 2003. Then it started on a long downward spiral, losing about 90% of its value.

This company had problems that had nothing to do with its doughnut recipe.

It over-expanded and took on crushing debt. There were allegations of management misconduct. Some franchises went bankrupt. Competition was fierce in the cheap eats category. More people started consuming healthy foods.

In short, Krispy Kreme managed to lose money selling something that is both cheap and delicious.

[ETL]

Krispy Kreme gave out free donuts nationwide to celebrate Obama’s inauguration.

Thanks. I didn't know that.

Found this too...

Krispy Kreme Celebrates Obama with Pro-Abortion Doughnuts

by Katie Walker
January 15, 2009

Washington, D.C. (15 January 2009) – The following is a statement from American Life League president, Judie Brown.

"The next time you stare down a conveyor belt of slow-moving, hot, sugary glazed donuts at your local Krispy Kreme you just might be supporting President-elect Barack Obama's radical support for abortion on demand – including his sweeping promise to sign the Freedom of Choice Act as soon as he steps in the Oval Office, Jan. 20.

"The doughnut giant released the following statement yesterday:

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD) is honoring American's sense of pride and freedom of choice on Inauguration Day, by offering a free doughnut of choice to every customer on this historic day, Jan. 20. By doing so, participating Krispy Kreme stores nationwide are making an oath to tasty goodies -- just another reminder of how oh-so-sweet "free" can be.

"Just an unfortunate choice of words? For the sake of our Wednesday morning doughnut runs, we hope so.  The unfortunate reality of a post Roe v. Wade America is that 'choice' is synonymous with abortion access and celebration of 'freedom of choice' is a tacit endorsement of abortion rights on demand.

"President-elect Barack Obama promises to be the most virulently pro-abortion president in history.  Millions more children will be endangered by his radical abortion agenda.

"Celebrating his inauguration with 'Freedom of Choice' doughnuts – only two days before the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision to decriminalize abortion – is not only extremely tacky, it's disrespectful and insensitive and makes a mockery of a national tragedy.

"A misconstrued concept of 'choice' has killed over 50 million preborn children since Jan. 22, 1973. Does Krispy Kreme really want their free doughnuts to celebrate this 'freedom"?

"As of Thursday morning, Communications Director Brian Little could not be reached for comment. We challenge Krispy Kreme doughnuts to reaffirm their commitment to true freedom – to the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – and to separate themselves and their doughnuts from our great American shame."

American Life League was cofounded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to natural death.  For more information or press inquiries, please contact Katie Walker at 540.659.4942.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• PR Newswire: Krispy Kreme to Celebrate Freedom of Choice on Inauguration Day (14 January 2009)
  http://sev.prnewswire.com/food-beverages/20090114/AQW52414012009-1.html

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Source:
http://www.all.org/article.php?id=11754

[varina davis]

The first time I had a Krispy Kreme fresh right out of the deep fryer I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Thankfully, for my health and weight, none are located where I live now.

[NorCoGOP]

Wow...all these posts and no one knows the real truth behind KK's collapse...

My father retired in 2003, and therefore stopped his daily ritual of buying/bringing the donuts into work.

KK never recovered from this guaranteed revenue stream.

It's all my dad's fault...sorry everyone (even though I personally dislike them)

Best. Dounts. Ever. Greeley, CO...try Red's Dogs and Donuts...you can get frosted donuts with Trix ceral, or cocoa puffs on them...OMG...not healthy, but what a way to go!

[Gay State Conservative]

“What...are you some kind of Communist?” I don’t think so. I just don’t like those donuts. That will leave more for you.

I'm sorry...I was only joking.I thought you'd recognize that.I should have put a smiley face on my post.

But hey,it's cool that you don't like their product.Strongly disliking Brussels Sprouts myself,I understand that not everybody likes everything that's good for them! ;-)

[ETL]

2009 Krispy Kreme Calendar

LOL!

[Global2010]

Well congradulations are in order.

Your wait was well worth it in that you found a younger woman.

I find that the older I get when a good looking (rare around here) guy catches my eye for visual assessment the younger they are getting. (28/29 yrs olds and yes I do feel for a fleeting moment like an DOL but I dont tresspass past the thought, not that any young man in his right mind would respond) :)

And good for you for getting the baby Baptized.

Being Catholic it is usually the first thing I ask new parents.

May God Bless your marraige for as long as you live.

[morkfork]

Have ate a box at one time. Heaven for minutes on end, h*ll for hours coming down from the sugar rush.

But sooooo worth it.

[Crolis]

Yep, my parents retired to Round Rock and I have to say, fresh round rock donuts are simply delicious. Nothing else comes close, although as a breakfast treat, they do sell a spicy pig-in-a-blanket that is also good.

[Gay State Conservative]

Best. Dounts. Ever. Greeley, CO...try Red's Dogs and Donuts...

Sounds great.Any chance of you sending me a dozen? You can Fedex them to me via FR.

Thanks much! ;-)

[ETL]

Wow! They actually do make such a disgusting product? I thought the first post on this was a joke.

[ssaftler]

Yes, we all know New York City is the center of the universe, and nothing outside of New York City is worthy of discussion - ever.

Lighten up, Francis!

The point is that, until Krispy Kreme hit New York, no one outside the southeast have even HEARD of them, much less tasted them. At that point, KK went viral nationwide, and their stock went nuts. I believe it was a 4 or 5 banger for me before I wisely dumped it all as the fad began to fade.

Still, I always preferred the little mom-and-pop donut place down the street to what the now boarded-up KK palace used to produce. Then again, we don't have any Dunkin' Donuts here in the Bay Air-head area, so you gotta make do.

[TypeZoNegative]

Ahh.. The good ol’ Luther Burger. Rumor had it that Luther Vandross ate a lot of these. I wonder what happened to Luther Vandross? I haven’t heard a lot about him of late.

[A CA Guy]

Thanks, I wasn’t seeking a younger wife, it just happened that way. She’s old world and I am massively respectful, supportive and helpful.
We spend massive amounts of time together compared to most any other couple since we also work together.

No problems and we have the baby with us at all times as well.

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

“Royal Mongolian Debating Society” lol good one!!

[Marylander]

I had my first Krispy Kreme while waiting in line at the first store in our neighborhood. A girl came through giving away warm doughnuts. After that first one I was hooked and could have eaten a dozen more on the spot.

After cooling, though, KK doughnuts turned out to be another story altogether and I soon realized I prefer Dunkin’ Donuts. I thought I could hear the nails going into the KK coffin when I saw the first display of boxed KKs in the grocery store.

Somehow they managed the almost impossible task of taking away all the romance of warm sugar, fat, and flour.

[BamaDi]

Don’t you mean it’s Bush’s fault....LOL Stop trying to give the credit to your dad!

[ETL]

Wow...all these posts and no one knows the real truth behind KK's collapse...

I can't believe the number of views and posts on this story either. I could have posted that WW3 had just broken out and wouldn't gotten half the hits! :)

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Damn it...heroin's illegal....cocaine's illegal...what's left?

Actual quote from a friend the first time I went to Krispy Kreme (in NYC): "This is better than heroin. I've had heroin and this is better."

[eldoradude]

Go buy a dozen hot ones and eat the whole box

Good advice. ;)

I remember when I was about 12 visiting Grandma in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The main drag through town had a donut shop on the corner within walking distance. It wasn't a chain place, just a mom-and-pop shop. I asked and asked if we could get some donuts but to no avail. So one day I walked up and down the streets and collected soda bottles to get the money for the deposits. It was about a dollar and enough to buy one dozen fresh donuts. Heaven. Teased my sister for the first 3 and then relented. Had to practically threaten her to eat the last one LOL because by then we were stuffed. Then I went and hid the box deep down in the trash so my Dad wouldn't see it. That memory is a good one...

[married21]

Krispy Kreme is gone from our area now. The really cool thing was getting to watch the donuts being made. When my kids were small, this was riveting entertainment (at least for a little while).
I knew they were on the way downhill when they appeared in the grocery store. Without the live, real-time experience, the donuts themselves were not special enough to pay more. It should have grown very slowly, stayed small, real-time, and charming, like In-n-Out Burger.