Krispy Kreme has officially opened its first Edmonton location at 4614 Gateway Blvd, marking a major milestone for the American doughnut chain in the city. The opening, which took place on December 10, sparked a wave of excitement among doughnut fans, with a long line forming outside the store the night before.
Levi Hetrick, chief growth officer for Krispy Kreme Canada, explained that the location was chosen to be as convenient as possible for the most people. “We wanted to be central and accessible,” he said. “This is the busiest road in Edmonton, and while we may open smaller cafes throughout the city, this will be our main factory location, where we make all the donuts.”
The excitement surrounding the opening was fueled by a special offer: the first twelve customers in line were promised a prize of twelve free glazed donuts every month, a sweet incentive for doughnut enthusiasts. Krispy Kreme’s signature donuts are made fresh in-house, and customers can watch as the donuts float along the production line before being served hot. According to Hetrick, no product is ever sold if it’s older than 12 hours.
The original glazed doughnut is Krispy Kreme’s best-seller and a fan favorite. “It’s really the magic that is Krispy Kreme,” Hetrick said. “We offer a variety of flavors, but the original glazed is by far the most popular.”
Looking ahead, Hetrick mentioned that Krispy Kreme will take a cautious approach to expansion in Edmonton. While the chain may consider opening additional factory locations in the future if demand increases, for now, the Gateway Blvd location will remain the hub. The company also plans to open smaller cafes around the city and begin delivering to places like Costco.
To support local communities, Krispy Kreme will introduce a fundraising program where non-profit organizations can purchase donuts at a discount, sell them at full price, and keep the profits. This initiative is expected to keep the store busy and ensure a steady supply of fresh donuts for Edmonton’s doughnut lovers.
Related Topics: