A doughnut or donut (pron.: /ˈdoʊnət/ or /ˈdoʊnʌt/) (see spelling differences) is a type of fried dough confectionery or dessert food. Doughnuts are popular in many countries and prepared in various forms as a sweet snack that can be homemade or purchased in bakeries, supermarkets, food stalls, and franchised specialty outlets. They are usually deep-fried from a flour dough, and shaped in rings or flattened spheres that sometimes contain fillings. Other types of batters can also be used, and various toppings and flavorings are used for different types.
Krispy Kreme (pronounced crispy crème) is a doughnut company founded in July 13, 1937. Krispy Kreme founder Vernon Rudolph bought a secret yeast-raised recipe from a New Orleans chef, rented a building in what is now historic Old Salem in Winston-Salem, NC, and began selling to local grocery stores.
Products are sold in Krispy Kreme stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, Wal-Mart and Target stores in the United States. Internationally, Loblaws supermarkets and Petro-Canada gas stations in Canada along with BP Service Stations and BP Travel Centres and Seven Eleven in Australia carry Krispy Kreme. In the United Kingdom Tesco supermarkets, Tesco Extra and most service stations carry Krispy Kreme products. The company's growth was steady prior to its initial public offering but profits have decreased in recent quarters. However, the company has seen growth in Center City Philadelphia, and has opened new locations there and in other areas.