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Krispy Kreme lays plans to go public

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June 2, 2021

Longtime North Carolina-based doughnut QSR, Krispy Kreme, said it wants to go public and sell stock again. The company, owned by Europe's JAB Holding, relayed the plans as part of its financials Tuesday, according to the New York Times.

Krispy Kreme initially made an initial public offering 21 years ago before it was sold to JAB in 2016. The playing field in the doughnut race has changed substantially since that time, including new de rigueur technology requirements for any and all QSRs and the purchase last year of Krispy Kreme's main competitor, Dunkin, by the Atlanta-based Inspire Brands.

In its IPO prospectus, Krispy Kreme highlighted it has a knack for staging major media-driven events, like its doughnut giveaway for customers showing proof of vaccination. In the company's recent financial results, it said sales increased 17% this fiscal year over last to hit $1.1 billion, though losses almost doubled to $64 million year over year.

JAB also owns JDE Peets, which it took public already, with plans to do the same with Panera, its other fast casual chain.