Krispy Kreme Turned the Light on For This Bombshell Deal That Has Donut Fans Racing to Their Cars

Krispy Kreme just made an announcement that has sweet-toothed Americans licking their lips.

The iconic donut chain is celebrating a major milestone this week.

And Krispy Kreme just turned the light on for a bombshell deal that has donut fans racing to their cars.

Krispy Kreme celebrates 88 years with sweet surprise

This Friday, July 18, marks a special day for one of America’s most beloved donut companies.

Krispy Kreme is turning 88 years old, and they’re throwing a birthday party that’ll have customers lined up around the block.

To celebrate their 88th birthday, Krispy Kreme announced they’re offering a dozen Original Glazed donuts for just 88 cents with the purchase of any dozen at regular price.

That’s right – you can walk away with two dozen of those melt-in-your-mouth classics for less than what some places charge for a single fancy coffee drink.

"Eighty-eight has never felt and tasted so great," said Alison Holder, Krispy Kreme Chief Brand and Product Officer.¹ "It’s a real joy every year celebrating Krispy Kreme’s birthday with our fans and treating them to a special deal. We’re so grateful for their love and loyalty."

The deal is only available on Friday, July 18, and there are some limits that folks need to know about.

Customers can snag up to two dozen when purchasing in-store or through the drive-thru.

For those ordering online for pickup or delivery, the limit drops to one dozen, and you’ll need to use the code "BDAY" at checkout.

The offer is available at participating Krispy Kreme shops across the United States while supplies last.

From a $25 gamble to a billion-dollar empire

The story behind Krispy Kreme reads like the American Dream itself.

Back in 1937, a young entrepreneur named Vernon Rudolph had nothing but big dreams and a secret recipe.

Rudolph had purchased that recipe from a New Orleans French chef named Joe LeBeau in 1933, when his uncle bought a small donut shop during the depths of the Great Depression.²

With just $25 in his pocket, Rudolph made his way to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in the summer of 1937.

The decision to pick Winston-Salem wasn’t random – legend has it that Rudolph looked at a pack of Camel cigarettes he was smoking and figured if a city could support one major industry like tobacco, it could support another.³

On July 13, 1937, Rudolph opened the first Krispy Kreme store in what’s now historic Old Salem.

He initially sold his glazed donuts wholesale to local grocery stores, using his Pontiac car to make deliveries.

But something magical happened that changed everything.

"The delicious scents of cooking doughnuts drifted into the streets, and passersby stopped to ask if they could buy hot doughnuts," according to company records.⁴

So Rudolph did what any smart businessman would do – he cut a hole in the wall of his building and started selling hot, fresh donuts directly to customers walking by.

That was the birth of the retail donut experience that Americans know and love today.

A sweet tradition that survived decades of change

Krispy Kreme’s growth story is one of persistence and innovation through changing times.

The company expanded steadily through the 1940s and 1950s, developing its signature green-tiled roofs and "Hot Light" that signals fresh donuts are being made.

By the 1960s, Krispy Kreme had become a fixture throughout the Southeast, with stores easily recognizable by their distinctive architecture and glowing heritage road signs.⁵

When Vernon Rudolph passed away in 1973, the company was sold to Beatrice Foods in 1976.

But here’s where the story gets interesting – a group of early franchisees loved the brand so much they bought it back from Beatrice Foods in 1982.

That move proved to be brilliant.

The buyback came just as Americans were embracing premium comfort foods, and Krispy Kreme was perfectly positioned to ride that wave.

In 1996, Krispy Kreme opened its first store in New York City, and by 1999, they’d reached California.

The company went public in April 2000, and opened its first international location in Canada in December 2001.⁶

Today, Krispy Kreme operates in more than 40 countries with hundreds of locations worldwide.

The secret recipe that Vernon Rudolph bought all those years ago remains locked in a safe at the company’s Winston-Salem headquarters.⁷

Why this deal has customers so excited

Krispy Kreme fans know that deals this good don’t come around often.

At a time when premium donuts can easily cost $3 or $4 each at boutique bakeries, getting two dozen of Krispy Kreme’s famous Original Glazed for around $13 total feels like hitting the jackpot.

The Original Glazed donut has remained virtually unchanged since 1937, using the same secret recipe that made Vernon Rudolph’s first batch so irresistible.

These aren’t just any donuts – they’re the ones that helped define what a great donut should taste like.

When that "Hot Light" is on, signaling fresh donuts are coming off the line, there’s nothing quite like biting into a warm Original Glazed that practically melts in your mouth.

For families planning weekend treats, birthday parties, or office gatherings, this 88-cent deal represents incredible value.

You can feed a crowd without spending a fortune, and everyone walks away happy.

Getting the most out of Friday’s celebration

Smart shoppers know that when Krispy Kreme offers a deal this good, timing matters.

The company is encouraging customers to share their birthday celebration on social media using #KrispyKreme and tagging @krispykreme.⁸

But the real strategy is getting to your local Krispy Kreme at the right time.

Early morning and late afternoon tend to be the busiest times, so mid-morning or early afternoon might offer shorter wait times.

Drive-thru lines will likely be longer than usual, so folks might want to consider going inside if that’s an option.

For those who prefer ordering online, remember to use that "BDAY" code – without it, you won’t get the special pricing.

This promotion perfectly captures why Krispy Kreme has survived and thrived for 88 years.

They know how to treat their customers right and create moments of simple joy with incredible donuts and deals that make people smile.

Vernon Rudolph would probably be amazed to see how his $25 investment and secret recipe turned into a global phenomenon that still brings families together over hot, fresh donuts.

So mark your calendars for Friday, July 18.

It’s not every day you can celebrate an American success story and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time.

¹ Alison Holder, quoted in Business Wire, "KRISPY KREME® Celebrates 88th Birthday With 88-Cent Original Glazed® Dozens on Friday, July 18," July 15, 2025.

² North Carolina History Project, "Krispy Kreme – North Carolina History," March 3, 2025.

³ Smithsonian Institution, "Krispy Kreme Corporation Records," Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

⁴ Ibid.

⁵ NC Miscellany, "July 1937: Krispy Kreme Opens in Winston-Salem," University of North Carolina Libraries.

⁶ Wikipedia, "Krispy Kreme," updated 2 weeks ago.

⁷ Smithsonian Institution, "Krispy Kreme Corporation Records," Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

⁸ Business Wire, "KRISPY KREME® Celebrates 88th Birthday With 88-Cent Original Glazed® Dozens on Friday, July 18," July 15, 2025.