America's love affair with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts began when a man named Vernon Rudolph bought a secret recipe from a French chef from New Orleans. The recipe was for making the now world famous Original Glazed Doughnut! Vernon Rudolph took that recipe and began making the delectable treats in his apartment in what is now Old Salem, North Carolina. He originally began selling the doughnuts for resale to mom and pop stores in the area. But the craze really began because of the wonderful smell. When Rudolph was making the doughnuts in his apartment, people on the street could smell the aroma and would knock on his door asking, "What is that wonderful smell?" Rudolph cut a hole in the wall of his apartment and began handing out samples of the treats to anyone who asked. That tradition of thrilling the guest with a hot, original glazed doughnut still exists today!

Needless to say, Krispy Kreme has stood the test of time not only because of the amazing doughnuts (the best in the doughnut industry), but also because of the "Magic Moments" that happen everyday in our stores.

Recognizing a foodservice icon when they saw one, Rich Melman, Gerard Centioli and Michael E. Fox of ICON^® LLC - a company devoted to developing concepts that are best in class and have stood the test of time - approached Krispy Kreme about forming a partnership. In 2001, ICON established KremeWorks, LLC - a joint venture with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. At the same time, KremeWorks USA, LLC was established to develop the concept in the United States, and KremeWorks Canada, LP to develop it in Canada.

ICON's first Krispy Kreme Doughnut & Coffee Shop opened with record breaking success in Issaquah, Washington on October 30, 2001. Today, KremeWorks operates a dozen Krispy Kreme Doughnut & Coffee Shops in Washington, Oregon, Hawaii and British Columbia.