Krispy Kreme opens today in South End with a 24-hour vending machine

By Symphony Webber | August 24, 2020

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Krispy Kreme’s newest location — with, yes, the 24-hour doughnut vending machine — opens in South End today, August 25. Expect doughnut-infused milkshakes and scoop sandwiches on the menu, too.

“We love making fresh doughnuts every day and just putting smiles on everyone’s faces,” says Rhianna Simard, Krispy Kreme’s district manager. “These days we smile with our eyes, but certainly, I plan on seeing a lot of ‘eye-smiles’ on Tuesday when we open.”

Free doughnuts: Throughout grand opening week, Krispy Kreme will randomly be giving away 120 “Celebration Dozen Tickets” to guests who come into the store, which provides one free dozen original glazed doughnuts every month for one year.

What to expect: In addition to Krispy Kreme’s classic offerings, guests can expect an expanded menu with things like scoop sandwiches (Krispy Kreme’s take on the classic ice cream sandwich) and hand-spun milkshakes made with doughnut-infused ice cream.

“Being home to our Global Product & Innovation Center, Charlotte is near and dear to our hearts, so we’re treating our neighbors to special experiences they won’t find at any other Krispy Kreme location,” Simard says.

[Related Agenda guide: Top 11 donut spots in Charlotte, and what to order at each]

Vending machine: If you’re having a late-night sweet tooth, you can stop by Krispy Kreme’s first-ever doughnut vending machine — quite the flex if you ask me. This vending machine is open 24-7 and dispenses three-pack doughnut boxes for $3.99 each.

There are two options here to choose from: one comes with one glazed, one chocolate iced glazed with sprinkles, and one glazed raspberry filled. The other comes with one glazed, one strawberry iced with sprinkles, and one chocolate iced with cream.

The space: The new 4,500-square-foot retail space is attached to the company’s sleek corporate office, which opened last summer in a renovated warehouse.

Customers can look on as doughnuts make their way down the production line through a large viewing window. Guests can also watch the decorating process through a separate processing window.

The exterior of the new shop features a doughnut mural with 72 different doughnuts, each with a different Charlotte symbol — like a Panthers claw mark or a crown representing the Queen City.

Hours: Krispy Kreme South End is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m Friday-Saturday. The exact address is 2116 Hawkins Street.