How to Get Free Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Here's a little secret I found out recently about how to get free Krispy Kreme doughnuts:

When the "hot" sign is on, some Krispy Kreme locations give away one free original glazed doughnut to every person stopping buy.

This is done on a store-by-store basis, so you'll need to ask your local Krispy Kreme if they offer this or not. If they do, and if you drive by their store often, look for the "hot" sign (a big, red, neon sign that's visible from a long ways off and says that hot doughnuts are available -- see the link above and the words "Look for the Hot Light" for a picture of what it looks like). If it's on, pull in and grab your free doughnut.

Our Krispy Kreme store happens to be on the way to the local mall, across the street from Lowe's and on the main intersection in our city leading to all the other main shopping areas. We go by it at least once a week, and we hit the jackpot about once every third time. My kids get so excited at just the thought of getting a doughnut and since it's free, my wife's ok with it (despite the lack of nutritional content). WE hit it this past weekend and it made a great start to our day.

How can Krispy Kreme afford to do this? Well, first, the cost of a doughnut is virtually nothing. It's not that costly to give them away.

Second, they taste GREAT -- especially when they are hot. Even if people don't buy any more on this trip, it's likely that they will on another trip. Who can forget the great taste of a hot, Krispy Kreme doughnut?

Finally, most people do buy something extra. Getting customers into a store is over half the battle in marketing and they become MUCH more likely to buy something if they go into the store (it's pretty hard to buy something if you're not in the store). ;-) And since Krispy Kreme makes such a large margin on their doughnuts, coffee, etc., they easily end up making money by giving away free doughnuts.

A couple of non-finance comments:

1. My favorite doughnuts are the chocolate iced creme filled (last one in top row).

2. The best: a hot, original, glazed doughnut with a scoop (or two!) of Moose Tracks ice cream on it. Or, if you're a huge chocolate fan, go with Extreme Moose Tracks ice cream. Yummmmmmmm! ;-)

Comments

[Nick]

My wife used to work at the Krispy Kreme across the street from us. Imagine a DOZEN free donuts (any kind!) every single day. Oddly enough, I actually lost weight eating an average of three or four donuts each day... but that's probably because I'd feel so sick the rest of the day I wouldn't eat anything.

[Tony]

I love Krispy Kreme donuts!!!!!! But I had to stop eating them when I became a vegetarian :(

Does anyone have an alternative that's just as good?

[Blaine Moore (First Time Homeowner)]

I won't eat Krispy Kreme donuts if they aren't hot. They are good hot, but I'm not a huge fan otherwise.

One of the best runs in college was "back from Krispy Kreme". We had been joking about doing it all season, so at the end of the year a few of us got dropped off at Krispy Kreme where we each ate between 6 and 12 donuts (I had 12). Then we ran back to school, which was only about 3.5 miles or so. Thankfully, I had an iron stomach and had no trouble coming back. The other guys were having to stop and hurl off the side of the road a few times.

I could never convince anybody to do that run again.

[James Messick]

Well, I grew up in Winston-Salem where Krispy Kreme doughnuts is headquartered, and I've probably been eating them for forty years, and I've never heard about this "one free" policy. Anyone else?

[FMF]

James --

A quote from above:

"This is done on a store-by-store basis, so you'll need to ask your local Krispy Kreme if they offer this or not."

I'm not sure where it is and where it isn't (I stumbled upon it by accident -- in to buy other doughnuts when the hot sign was on -- they don't really publicize it here). My suggestion for everyone is to call your local KK store and ask in advance before just showing up.

[Cujo]

I can't believe you violated a fresh, hot Krispy Kreme by putting ice cream on it. :-)

[marci alexander]

we have been told in the past that a krispy kreme was coming to our town, murfreesboro tn. Is this true, we drive to nash now to get them, my husband will only eat krispy kreme. you know we are really growing here and have a university, you would have no problem selling them here, thanks, marci

[red shirt billy]

woah dude gimmee free donuts!
dose this offer pertain to me?

[Tom]

ARE YOU VEGAN?? Krispy Kreme only uses milk and eggs as far as animal byproducts. They are cooked in 100% vegetable oil. Only vegans have a problem with this, not most vegetarians (ovo-lacto vegitarians).

[annab]

now I want donuts... :(

[NBC BAY AREA]

We looked into this to bring our viewers a money saving tip. They stopped giving away the donuts several years ago. Bummer...

[FMF]

NBC --

When they stopped varied by location. My KK just stopped offering freebies a year or so ago.

[Kevin]

Doesn't this simply prove that what they are selling is crap that costs them next to nothing to make and which is highly addictive to customers? Sounds like the Internet!