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Wall Street Journal 6 Jul 2026 20 here now

Why Krispy Kreme Can’t Fully Automate Its Donuts | WSJ

Krispy Kreme is pushing its machinery to boost efficiency and reverse a period of missed sales targets and profit losses. The company is trying to boost efficiency with automation but found some tasks

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@AustinWirl From YouTube ↗ 13 Jul 2026 12
They should sell the leftovers at half the cost instead of just throwing them out
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I remembered reading an article about 15 years ago that Krispy Kreme was so highly profitable because of the automation and their donuts were about 30% smaller than the mom and pop donut shops.

Up to 2020 I remember going to Krispy Kreme and get their #2 special which was 2 dozen donuts and a drink for $22. Now for the 2 dozen donuts it is twice the amount ($44) and no drink.

I know that Krispy Kreme have partnerships with Walmart, Ralphs, Albertsons, etc. The problem is that I have never seen any donut packs that is made that same day. It is usually a day or two old because you can see the shape of the donuts starting to shrivel. On top of that you have to pay a premium
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Private equity firms suck the soul out of a business.
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They should test “glazed only” locations where they only sell original glazed with an upgraded coffee/ matcha bar. Lower the labor cost of making so many doughnuts, only focus on the original glazed and an aesthetic coffee/matcha.
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Overall problem is they are owned by Private Equity.
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Where has my life gone. It’s 7 am and I’m sittin here watching crispy creamers
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$8 for a 6 donuts at my grocery.
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Can I have the “throwaways?” 🍩😂
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Now I understand why those specialty donuts are so expensive at grocery stores
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I used to live ‘sorta’ near a KC (outside Philly). Never heard of them and stopped in on a whim. OMG - the store wasn’t that close to me but … I … didn’t… care. I would look for excuses to drive into that neighborhood (which was the next county over). I would eat at least 4 (if not more) in one sitting. Of course I felt sick afterwards (sugar rush) but it was worth it. When that light would flash ‘Fresh’ my car would just automatically pull over (hands free). I no longer live anywhere near a store. I MISS THEM.
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I dont eat donuts often but when. I do i always go Krispy Kreme.
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@DLRinc From YouTube ↗ 7 Jul 2026 30
I only want one when the hot light is on. Last time I tried, I got cold and old donuts. Forget everything else! Just make them to order and there’s your highest quality.
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The best! Had them this weekend
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@bngr_bngr From YouTube ↗ 7 Jul 2026 196
What does a British guy know about donuts. Get an Asian donut shop owner. They will turn around this company. The best donuts I’ve had have been at Asian owned donut shops.
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@rd9102 From YouTube ↗ 7 Jul 2026 33
DO it right, don't get rid of people, the donuts are FANTASTIC, love em and have for decades now. I'm from the East Coast where Dunkin Donuts is a thing but when i came west in the late 90's to the Portland area i found Krispy Kreme because a van used to drive them down from Seattle, once we got our own KKR store it was and is now wonderful.
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93% success? I volunteer to dispose of the rest
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@auro1986 From YouTube ↗ 7 Jul 2026 56
machine can't make different variety on demand because machine is made to spit out standardized donut to save costs
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@Miles616 From YouTube ↗ 7 Jul 2026 348
They need better coffee. Donuts are amazing but coffee is horrible. Should have partnered with a coffee company.
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he DOES NOT eat doughnuts more than 3x a year 😭
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@OMGjessey From YouTube ↗ 7 Jul 2026 840
If you need an address to send the donuts that didnt make the cut, let me know.