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I just searched the web looking to see when the first one will open in New England but apparently no location has been decided upon yet

Well, Sam, if you live in Providence RI, you will have a chance to try Hot Doughnuts Now.

The Jan companies, that have numerous Burger Kings, Newport Cremery, and others penned a deal with Krispy last year to attack DD on their home turf as a strategic alliance.

The Jan Co. has purchased a site near the intersection of Rt. 95 and Rt 37, to convert into an ice cream/Krispy Kreme plant, operational sometime in late 2002.

This is the first time that KK has formed a strategic alliance with a franchiser. Up until now, KK has sold off area development rights -So. California was sold for $25k, with the understanding that the franchiser build out the area with x number of factories over a number of years, (I think it was six.) Compare that to DD, in which your franchise fee covers a street corner. Each plant costs about $400k after the build-out.

Each doughnut machine spits out 300 dozen doughnuts an hour, so KK thrives on both walk-in retail business, but most importantly back door deliveries to the surrounding retail outlets.

Actually, the dough is not the same after all these years. About five years ago, they changed the formula which expanded the shelf life from one day to two days, dramatically expanding the back door business possibilities.

Great product, but lackluster profits based on the cult status of the product

Thanks for all the info. I don't live near Providence, RI but I'm sure they will make it into the Boston area eventually. They are certainly entering a donut-crazed market. Dunkin' Donuts is on virtually every street corner around here. They have them in gas stations, convenience stores, airports and even in some large businesses, where they compete with the cafeteria. There are so many Dunkin' Donuts stores that when we give directions around here, it always involves a DD. As in "Turn left by the Dunkin' Donuts and then go through two sets of lights. When you see the next Dunkin' Donuts, turn right..."

That said, I don't think Krispy Kreme will have any trouble making money here. I predict they will have lines out the door all morning long.