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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

     
(Mark one)
x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended February 3, 2002
 
OR
 
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to

Commission file number 001-16485

KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
North Carolina   56-2169715
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
370 Knollwood Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina   27103
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(336) 725-2981

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock, No Par Value
(Title of class)
Preferred Share Purchase Rights
(Title of class)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   x           No   o

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   o

     The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity of the registrant held by nonaffiliates of the registrant, as of April 8, 2002: $1,470,156,788.

     Number of shares of Common Stock, no par value, outstanding as of April 8, 2002: 54,399,707.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

     Portions of the registrant’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2002 have been incorporated by reference into Parts II and IV of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the registrant’s Annual Meeting to be held on June 5, 2002 have been incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
SIGNATURES
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
PORTIONS OF THE REGISTRANT'S FISCAL 2002 REPORT
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                 
            Page
           
 
  PART I        
ITEM 1
  Business     2  
ITEM 2
  Properties     20  
ITEM 3
  Legal Proceedings     20  
ITEM 4
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     21  
 
               
 
  PART II        
 
               
ITEM 5
  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters     21  
ITEM 6
  Selected Financial Data     22  
ITEM 7
  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     22  
ITEM 7A
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     23  
ITEM 8
  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     23  
ITEM 9
  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     23  
 
               
 
  PART III        
 
               
ITEM 10
  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant     23  
ITEM 11
  Executive Compensation     23  
ITEM 12
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management     24  
ITEM 13
  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions     24  
 
               
 
  PART IV        
 
               
ITEM 14
  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K     24  
 
               
SIGNATURES
            S-1  

 


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PART I

     As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, “Krispy Kreme,” the “Company,” “we” or “us” refers to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. and its subsidiaries. References contained herein to fiscal 1998, fiscal 1999, fiscal 2000, fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2002 mean the fiscal years ended February 1, 1998, January 31, 1999, January 30, 2000, January 28, 2001 and February 3, 2002, respectively. Please note that our fiscal year ended February 3, 2002 contained 53 weeks. This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Form 10-K”) contains forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results projected in the forward looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in “Item 1. Business,” and in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which is incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K from the Company’s fiscal 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders. All references to share amounts and per share amounts in this Form 10-K, unless otherwise noted, have been adjusted to reflect a two-for-one stock split paid on March 19, 2001 in the form of a dividend to shareholders of record as of March 5, 2001 and a two-for-one stock split paid on June 14, 2001 in the form of a dividend to shareholders of record as of May 29, 2001.

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS.

Overview

     Krispy Kreme is a leading branded specialty retailer of premium quality doughnuts. We have established Krispy Kreme as a leading consumer brand with a loyal customer base through our longstanding commitment to quality and consistency. The combination of our well-established brand, our one-of-a-kind doughnuts, a unique retail experience featuring our stores’ fully displayed production process, our doughnutmaking theater, our vertical integration and our strong franchise system creates significant opportunities for continued growth.

     Our principal business, which began in 1937, is owning and franchising Krispy Kreme doughnut stores where we make and sell over 20 varieties of premium quality doughnuts, including our Hot Original Glazed. Each of our stores is a doughnut factory with the capacity to produce from 4,000 dozen to over 10,000 dozen doughnuts daily. Consequently, each store has significant fixed or semi-fixed costs, and margins and profitability are significantly impacted by doughnut production volume and sales. Our doughnut stores are versatile in that most can support multiple sales channels to more fully utilize production capacity. These sales channels are comprised of on-premises sales and off-premises sales as described further under “Business Model—Store Operations.”

     We believe that Krispy Kreme has significant opportunities for continued growth. Our sales growth has been driven by new store openings, as well as systemwide comparable store sales growth of 14.1% in fiscal 2000, 17.1% in fiscal 2001 and 12.8 % in fiscal 2002.

     We believe our success is based on the strengths described below.

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Competitive Strengths

     The universal appeal of our product. Our market research indicates that Krispy Kreme’s breadth of appeal extends across major demographic groups, including age and income. In addition to their taste, quality and simplicity, our doughnuts are an affordable indulgence. This has contributed to many of our customers purchasing doughnuts by the dozen for their offices, clubs and families. Demand for our doughnuts occurs throughout the day, with approximately half of our on-premises sales occurring in the morning and half in the afternoon and evening.

     A proven concept. Krispy Kreme is a focused yet versatile concept. Each of our distinctive Krispy Kreme stores is a doughnutmaking theater with the capacity, depending on equipment size, to produce from 4,000 dozen to over 10,000 dozen doughnuts daily. Our stores serve as our primary retail outlets. They are also designed to create a multi-sensory experience around our unique product and production process, which is important to our brand-building efforts. In addition to these on-premises sales, we have developed multiple channels of sales outside our stores, which we refer to as off-premises sales. These sales channels improve the visibility of our brand, increase the convenience of purchase and capture sales from a wide variety of settings and occasions. Additionally, the ability to generate sales outside of our stores, utilizing the stores’ existing production capacity, minimizes the risk of an underperforming on-premises sales location.

     Strong growth potential. We believe the following represent significant growth opportunities for our Company:

    Domestic store development. We believe our 218 factory stores (stores which contain a full doughnut-making production line) as of February 3, 2002 represent less than one-third of the total factory stores we can ultimately build in North America. Our highest priority expansion plans focus on markets with over 100,000 households. These markets are most attractive because of their dense population characteristics which enable us to achieve economies of scale in local operations infrastructure and brand-building efforts.
 
    International store development. We are beginning to explore international growth opportunities and our initial focus is on five countries: Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain and the United Kingdom. Based on our initial research and our experience with our first store in Canada, we believe these countries represent attractive expansion opportunities for the Krispy Kreme concept. Ultimately, we believe the total international opportunity is at least as great as the domestic North American opportunity.
 
    Expanded beverage offerings. One of our focus areas has been on creating a best-in-class beverage opportunity to complement our doughnut offering. With the acquisition of Digital Java, Inc., a small Chicago-based coffee company, in February 2001, we acquired significant coffee roasting expertise. We have now formulated a complete beverage offering including four drip coffees, a complete line of espresso-based coffees including flavors, and both coffee-based and noncoffee-based frozen drinks. These drinks will complement our existing juices, sodas, milks and waters. We are in the early stages of testing this offering in some of our stores. We believe this new beverage offering represents an opportunity to increase beverage sales in a meaningful way which in turn will enhance our profitability due to the attractive margins associated with beverage sales.
 
    Hot doughnut machine technology. In the fall of 2001, we announced the development of a new hot doughnut machine technology which can provide our customers with the same hot doughnut experience as the equipment in our factory stores. This machine, however, has significant advantages over the factory store doughnut machine in that it is smaller in size, involves a less complicated production process and costs less. We are currently testing this technology in three doughnut and coffee shops and plan to expand the test of this technology into 10-12 more stores in fiscal 2003. We believe this technology will lead to significantly more stores by facilitating our expansion into smaller markets and into dense urban areas.

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     The ingredients for market leadership. The doughnut industry is highly fragmented and characterized by low-volume outlets with undifferentiated product quality. We believe that we have the ability to become the recognized leader in every market we enter through our unique combination of:

    A strong brand
 
    A highly differentiated product
 
    A high-volume production capacity
 
    A market penetration strategy using multiple sales channels

     A proven franchise system. Krispy Kreme is committed to growth through franchising. Our franchisees consist of associates who operate under our original franchising program developed in the 1940s and area developers who operate under our franchising program developed in the mid-1990s. See “Business Model—Store Ownership.” We intend to continue to strengthen our franchise system by attracting and retaining experienced and well-capitalized area developers who have the management capacity to develop multiple stores. Our development strategy permits us to grow in a controlled manner and enables us to ensure that each area developer strictly adheres to our high standards of quality and service. We prefer that area developers have ownership and successful operating experience in multi-unit food operations within the territory they propose for development. To ensure a consistent high quality product, we require each franchisee to purchase our proprietary mixes and doughnutmaking equipment. We devote significant resources to providing our franchisees with assistance in site selection, store design, employee training and marketing. Many of our franchisees are also our shareholders. Additionally, we intend to continue to acquire equity positions in selected franchisee businesses and also intend to continue to periodically repurchase associate or area developer markets to take advantage of opportunities for synergies and market expansion. We believe that common ownership of equity will serve to strengthen further our relationships and align our mutual interests.

     Direct store delivery capabilities. Krispy Kreme has developed a highly effective direct store delivery system, or DSD, for executing off-premises sales. We deliver fresh doughnuts, both packaged and unpackaged, to a variety of retail customers, such as supermarkets, convenience stores and other food service and institutional accounts. Through our company and franchised store operations, our route drivers are capable of taking customer orders and delivering products directly to our customers’ retail locations, where they are typically merchandised from Krispy Kreme branded displays. We have also developed national account relationships and implemented electronic invoicing and payment systems with some large DSD customers. We believe these competencies, coupled with our premium products, will provide us with significant sales opportunities by allowing us to assume the role of category manager for doughnut products in both the in-store bakery and food service distribution channels.

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     A controlled process ensuring consistent high quality. Krispy Kreme has a vertically integrated, highly automated system designed to create quality, consistency and efficiency. Our doughnutmaking process starts well before the store-level operations with:

    Our owned and operated manufacturing plant, which produces our proprietary mixes
 
    Our state-of-the-art laboratory that tests all key ingredients and each batch of mix produced
 
    Our self-manufactured, custom stainless steel doughnutmaking equipment

     Additionally, at the store level, we provide a 13-week manager training program covering the critical skills required to operate a Krispy Kreme store and a comprehensive training program for all positions in the store. The manager training program includes classroom instruction, computer-based modules and in-store training. The comprehensive training program for store personnel includes procedures for producing and finishing our doughnuts, as well as customer service.

     A balanced financial model. Krispy Kreme generates sales and income from three distinct sources: company stores, which we refer to as Company Store Operations, franchise fees and royalties from our franchise stores, which we refer to as Franchise Operations, and a vertically integrated supply chain, which we refer to as Krispy Kreme Manufacturing and Distribution, or KKM&D. In addition to lowering the cost of goods sold for our stores, KKM&D generates attractive margins on sales of our mixes and equipment. Our franchising approach to growth minimizes our capital requirements and provides a highly attractive royalty stream. We believe this financial model provides increased stability to our revenues and earnings and improves our return on investment. Our Company Store Operations, Franchise Operations and KKM&D comprise three reportable segments under generally accepted accounting principles. You can review financial data for these segments in Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2002.

Business Model

     Krispy Kreme is a vertically integrated company structured to support and profit from the high volume production and sale of high quality doughnut products. “High volume with high quality” has always been the foundation of our business strategy. Our business is driven by two complementary business units: our company and franchise stores, which we refer to collectively as Store Operations, and KKM&D. Independently, each is designed to ensure quality and to benefit from economies of scale. Collectively, both function as an integrated, cost-efficient system.

     Store Operations. Our principal source of revenue is the sale of doughnuts produced and distributed by Store Operations. As part of our unique business model, our stores are both retail outlets and highly automated, high volume producers of our doughnut products and can sell their products through our multiple sales channels.

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    On-premises sales. Each of our stores offers at least 15 of our more than 20 varieties of doughnuts, including our signature Hot Original Glazed and nine other prescribed varieties. We also sell our special blend Krispy Kreme coffee, other beverages, other bakery items and collectible memorabilia such as tee shirts, sweatshirts and hats. Fundraising sales, described under “Marketing,” are another component of on-premises sales. In order to establish our brand identity with the total store experience and because of the higher margins associated with on-premises sales, we typically focus our initial sales efforts in new markets on this channel.
 
    Off-premises sales. We accomplish off-premises sales through our direct store delivery system which is designed to:
 
    Generate incremental sales
 
    Increase market penetration and brand awareness
 
    Increase customer convenience
 
    Optimize utilization of our stores’ production capacity
 
    Improve our stores’ return on investment

     As of February 3, 2002 approximately 119 of our stores sold to major grocery store chains, including Kroger (which accounted for 9.4% of our total revenues in fiscal 2001 and 7.9% in fiscal 2002), Food Lion, Giant Food and Acme Markets, and to local and national convenience stores, as well as to select co-branding customers.

     KKM&D. The mission of KKM&D is to create competitive advantages for our stores while operating as a profitable business enterprise. We have developed important operating competencies and capabilities, which we use to support our stores, including:

    Strong product knowledge and technical skills
 
    Control of all critical production and distribution processes
 
    Collective buying power

     The basic raw materials used in our products are flour, sugar, shortening and packaging materials. We obtain most of these materials under long-term purchase agreements and in the commodity spot markets. Although we own the recipe to our glaze flavoring — a key ingredient in many of our doughnuts — we are currently dependent on a sole source for our supply. However, we are in the process of establishing an alternative source.

     We implement the mission of KKM&D through three strategic business units:

    Mix manufacturing. We produce all of our proprietary doughnut mixes at our manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We control production of this critical input in order to ensure that our products meet quality expectations and to maximize our profit potential. Manufacturing and selling our own mixes allows us to capture the profit that normally would accrue to an outside supplier and is more cost effective than purchasing from third party vendors. Our mixes are produced according to our high quality standards, which include:

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    Requiring each carefully selected supplier to meet or exceed industry standards
 
    Receiving truckloads of our main ingredients daily
 
    Testing each incoming key ingredient
 
    Testing each batch of mix
 
    Equipment manufacturing. We manufacture proprietary doughnutmaking equipment, which our franchisees are required to purchase. Our carefully engineered equipment, when combined with our proprietary mixes, produces doughnuts with uniform consistency and high quality. Manufacturing our equipment results in several advantages including:

    Flexibility. We manufacture several models, with varying capacities, which are capable of producing multiple products and fitting unusual store configurations.
 
    Cost-effectiveness. We believe our costs are lower than if we purchased our equipment from third parties.
 
    Efficiency. We continually refine our equipment design to ensure maximum automation in order to manage labor costs and/or improve consistency.

    Distribution centers. We also operate two distribution centers (Winston-Salem, NC and greater Los Angeles, CA), which are capable of supplying our stores with all of their key supplies, including all food ingredients, juices, Krispy Kreme coffee, signage, display cases, uniforms and other items. Stores must use our doughnut mixes and special blend coffee exclusively. In addition, most of our store operators have agreed contractually through our Supply Chain Alliance Program to purchase all of their requirements for the critical areas of their business through fiscal 2003. We believe that our ability to distribute supplies to our operators produces several advantages including:
 
    Economies of scale. We are able to purchase at volume discount prices, which we believe are lower than those that would be available to our operators individually. In addition, we are selective in choosing our suppliers and require that they meet certain standards with regard to quality and reliability. Also, inventory is controlled on a systemwide basis rather than at the store level.

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    Convenience. Our distribution centers offer our operators the convenience of one-stop shopping. We are able to supply our operators with all of the key items they need to operate their stores, which enables them to focus their energies on running their stores, rather than managing supplier relationships.

    New manufacturing and distribution facility. In March 2001, we announced our intention to build an additional mix and distribution facility in Effingham, Illinois. Construction of the facility began in May 2001 and is expected to be completed in the first half of fiscal 2003. With respect to the financing of this facility, see Note 21 “Synthetic Lease” of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.

Krispy Kreme Brand Elements

     Krispy Kreme is a blend of several important brand elements which has created a special bond with many of our customers. The key elements are:

    One-of-a-kind taste. The taste experience of our doughnuts is the foundation of our concept and the common thread that binds generations of our loyal customers. Our doughnuts are made from a secret recipe that has been in our company since 1937. We use only premium ingredients, which are blended by our custom equipment, to create this unique and very special product.
 
    Doughnutmaking theaters. Each of our stores showcases our doughnutmaking process. Our goal is to provide our customers with a unique entertainment experience and, in addition, visibly reinforce our commitment to quality and freshness.
 
    Hot Doughnuts Now. The Hot Doughnuts Now sign, when illuminated, is a signal that our Hot Original Glazed are being made. The Hot Doughnuts Now sign is a strong impulse purchase generator and an integral contributor to our brand’s mystique. Our Hot Original Glazed are made for several hours every morning and evening, and at other special times during the day.
 
    Destination locations. Our full-service stores incorporate doughnutmaking theaters, which are designed to produce a multi-sensory customer experience and establish a strong brand identity. Our research indicates that many of our stores have the geographic drawing power comparable to a regional shopping mall and that our customers, on average, drive 14 miles from their homes to our stores.
 
    Affordable indulgences. Our doughnuts are reasonably priced to ensure that they are affordable for the widest audience possible.
 
    Community relationships. We are a national company, yet we are committed to strong local community relationships. Our store operators support their local communities through fundraising programs and the sponsorship of charitable events. Many of our loyal customers have warm memories of selling Krispy Kremes to raise money for their schools, clubs and community organizations.

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Industry Overview

     The doughnut industry is highly fragmented. We expect doughnut sales to continue to grow due to a variety of factors, including the growth in two-income households and corresponding shift towards foods consumed away from home, increased snack food consumption and further growth of doughnut purchases from in-store bakeries. We view the fragmented competition in the doughnut industry as an opportunity for our continued growth. We also believe that the premium quality of our products and the strength of our brand will help enhance the growth and expansion of the overall doughnut market.

Growth Strategy

     Krispy Kreme is a proven concept with an established heritage. The strength of our brand, our relatively small store population, and our attractive unit economics position us very well for growth in our domestic markets. We plan to increase our revenues and profits by expanding our store base, improving on-premises sales at existing stores, and increasing off-premises sales. Additionally, we have growth opportunities in international markets, through the introduction of our new beverage program and through our new technology, the Hot Doughnut Machine. We believe our future growth prospects have expanded significantly due to these new opportunities.

     Expand our store base. We view our stores as platforms from which we pursue on-premises as well as off-premises sales opportunities. In fiscal 2003, we anticipate opening approximately 59 new stores under existing agreements, the majority of which are expected to be franchise stores. Our franchisees, including the area developers in Northern California and in Philadelphia in which we had a majority ownership interest as of February 3, 2002, are contractually obligated to open over 200 new stores in the fiscal 2003 through fiscal 2006 period. The addition of new stores will be accomplished primarily through franchising with area developers following a prescribed development plan for their respective territories, although we also intend to open new company stores on a limited basis in existing or repurchased markets to take advantage of synergies and growth opportunities. An initial development plan has been created to optimally penetrate territories with over 100,000 households. The plan assumes stores will be built in high density, prime-retailing locations in order to maximize customer traffic and on-premises sales volumes. We believe a territory-based development strategy creates substantial benefits to both Krispy Kreme and our area developers. These benefits include:

    Real estate procurement and development
 
    Scale to cost-justify a strong local support infrastructure
 
    Brand building and advertising
 
    Ability to make marketwide commitments to chain store customers

     With respect to new store growth, we believe that secondary markets in the United States with less than 100,000 households also offer additional sales and profit growth opportunities. Although we operate successfully in some secondary markets today, we believe that our primary expansion territories are sufficient to achieve our intermediate growth objectives.

     Improve existing stores’ on-premises sales. Our area developers have demonstrated that a store employing our updated design located in a densely populated area is capable of generating and sustaining high volume on-premises sales. Many of our stores built prior to 1997 were designed primarily as wholesale bakeries and their formats and site attributes differ considerably from newer stores. In order to improve the on-premises sales of some of these stores, we plan to remodel selected company stores and, in some limited instances, close or relocate certain stores to more dynamic locations within their territories. Finally, we consistently evaluate improvements or additions to our product line in order to increase same store sales levels and balance seasonality of sales.

     In addition, during fiscal 2002, we repurchased market rights from our associate franchisees in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia and from our area developer in Baltimore, Maryland; and we may continue to repurchase markets from our franchisees in other markets to take advantage of opportunities for synergies and market expansion.

     Increase off-premises sales. In new markets, we typically focus our initial efforts on on-premises sales and then use the store platform to capitalize on off-premises opportunities. We intend to secure additional grocery and convenience store customers, as well as increase sales to our existing customer base by offering premium quality products, category management and superior customer service. In addition, we believe the food service and institutional channel of sales offers Krispy Kreme significant opportunity to extend our brand into colleges and universities, business and industry complexes and sports and entertainment venues. In new markets where capacity utilization remains high from servicing on-premises sales, we may develop commissary production facilities to service off-premises sales. We believe that once high brand awareness has been established in a market, a commissary has the potential to improve market penetration and profitability.

     International expansion. In contemplation of our future international expansion, we are beginning to develop our global strategy as well as the capabilities and infrastructure necessary to support our expansion outside the United States. We currently have one store in Canada and more stores will open in the Canadian market in the coming years. We are also beginning to focus on five markets outside North America, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom. Our initial research indicates that these will be viable markets for the Krispy Kreme concept.

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     Expanded beverage offerings. In fiscal 2002, through the acquisition of the assets of Digital Java, we began to expand our vertical integration to sourcing and roasting our own coffee beans. Digital Java, a Chicago-based coffee company, was a sourcer and micro-roaster of premium quality coffee and offered a broad line of coffee-based and non-coffee beverages. Subsequent to the acquisition, we relocated the assets acquired and operations to a newly constructed coffee roasting facility at our Ivy Avenue plant in Winston-Salem. This operation will help support the rollout of our new beverage program which will include new drip coffees, as well as other espresso based beverages and frozen beverages.

     Doughnut and coffee shops. During fiscal 2002, we introduced a new concept store, the “doughnut and coffee shop.” This store uses the new Hot Doughnut Machine technology which completes the final steps of the production process and requires less space than the full production equipment in our traditional factory store. This technology combines time, temperature and humidity elements to re-heat unglazed doughnuts, provided by a traditional factory store, and prepare them for the glazing process. Once glazed, customers can have the same hot doughnut experience in a doughnut and coffee shop as in a factory store. This technology can also heat other varieties of doughnuts. Additionally, the doughnut and coffee shop offers our new full line of coffees and other beverages. During fiscal 2002, we began our initial tests of the concept in three different markets in North Carolina and continue to develop and enhance the technology. As of February 3, 2002, three doughnut and coffee shops were open and all were owned by the Company. We expect to open between ten and fifteen doughnut and coffee shops systemwide in fiscal 2003 as we continue our tests of this concept. We are also evaluating the possibility of placing the Hot Doughnut Machine technology in other venues.

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Unit Economics

     We believe that Krispy Kreme unit economics represent an attractive investment opportunity for our area developers and as such are a significant factor contributing to the growth and success of the Krispy Kreme concept.

     We estimate that the investment for a new store, excluding land and pre-opening costs, is $800,000 for a building of approximately 4,600 square feet and $625,000 for equipment, furniture and fixtures.

     The following table provides certain financial information relating to company and franchised stores. Average weekly sales per store are calculated by dividing store revenues by the actual number of sales weeks included in each period. Company stores’ operating cash flow is store revenues less all direct store expenses other than depreciation expenses.

                           
      Year Ended
     
      January 30,   January 28,   February 3,
      2000   2001   2002
     
 
 
      (Dollars in thousands)
Average weekly sales per store:
                       
 
Company
  $ 54     $ 69     $ 72  
 
Franchised
    38       43       53  
Company stores’ operating cash flow as a percentage of store revenues
    23.2 %     26.1 %     28.6 %

     Average weekly sales for company stores are higher than for franchised stores due to lower average weekly sales volumes of older associate stores that are included in the franchised stores’ calculations. However, franchised stores’ average weekly sales have been increasing as higher-volume area developer stores become a larger proportion of the franchised store base. Additionally, new area developer stores’ sales are principally on-premises sales, which have higher operating margins than off-premises sales. Company and associate stores generate a significant percentage of revenues from lower-margin off-premises sales.

Store Development and Operations

     Site selection. Our objective is to create highly visible destination locations. Our comprehensive site selection process focuses on:

    High volume traffic
 
    High household density
 
    Proximity to both daytime employment and residential centers
 
    Proximity to other retail traffic generators

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     We work closely with our franchisees to assist them in selecting sites. A site selection team visits each site and the surrounding area before approving a store location. We believe that this process ensures that each new store will comply with our standards.

     Store operations. Our new stores are approximately 4,600 square feet. They are equipped with automated doughnutmaking equipment capable of producing from 4,000 dozen to 10,000 dozen doughnuts daily. This capacity can support sales in excess of $100,000 per week. We outline uniform specifications and designs for each Krispy Kreme store and require compliance with our standards regarding the operation of the store, including, but not limited to:

    Varieties of products
    Product specifications
    Sales channels
    Packaging
    Sanitation and cleaning
    Signage
    Furniture and fixtures
    Image and use of logos and trademarks
    Training
    Marketing and advertising

     We also require the use of a computer and cash register system with specified capabilities to ensure the collection of sales information necessary for effective store management. All of our franchisees provide us with weekly sales reports and periodic financial statements.

     We routinely assist our franchisees with issues such as:

    Operating procedures
    Advertising and marketing programs
    Administrative, bookkeeping and accounting procedures
    Public relations
    Generation of sales and operating data

     We also provide an opening team, which consists of up to nine people, to provide on-site training and assistance during the first two weeks of operation for each initial store opened by a new franchisee. The number of opening team members providing this assistance is reduced with each subsequent store opening for an existing franchisee.

     Our stores which engage in off-premises sales typically operate on a 24-hour schedule. Other stores generally operate from 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., seven days a week, excluding some major holidays. Traditionally, our sales have been slower during the Christmas holiday season and the summer months.

     Quality standards and customer service. We encourage all of our employees to be courteous, helpful, knowledgeable and attentive. We emphasize the importance of performance by linking a portion of both a company store manager’s and an assistant store manager’s incentive compensation to profitability and customer service. We also encourage high levels of customer service and the maintenance of our high quality standards by frequently monitoring our stores through a variety of methods, including periodic quality audits and “mystery shoppers.” In addition, our Customer Experience Department handles customer comments and also conducts routine satisfaction surveys of our off-premises customers.

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     Management and staffing. It is important that our corporate staff and store managers work as a team. Our Chief Operating Officer and our President of Krispy Kreme North America, along with other corporate officers responsible for store operations, are responsible for corporate interaction with our store operations division directors and store management. Through our divisional directors, each of whom is responsible for a specific geographic region, we communicate frequently with all store managers and their staffs using: store audits; weekly communications by telephone or e-mail; and scheduled and surprise store visits.

     We offer a comprehensive 13-week training program, conducted both at our headquarters and at designated stores, which provides store managers the critical skills required to operate a Krispy Kreme store. The program includes classroom instruction, computer-based training modules and in-store training.

     Our staffing varies depending on a store’s size, volume of business, and number of sales channels. Stores with sales through all sales channels have approximately 35 employees handling on-premises sales, processing, production, bookkeeping and sanitation and between 2-15 delivery personnel. Area developers frequently hire employees from leasing agencies and employ staff based on store volume and size. Hourly employees, along with delivery personnel, are trained by local store management through hands-on experience and training manuals.

     We believe that our success is a natural result of the growth and development of our people. We are developing a career model for both management and non-exempt employees, which will focus on personal development and career growth. The program will link an individual’s economic, career and personal goals with our corporate and store-level goals.

Store Ownership

     We divide our stores into three categories of ownership: company stores, associate stores and area developer stores. We refer to associates and area developers as franchisees, collectively. Store counts include retail stores and commissaries and exclude the doughnut and coffee shops.

     Company stores. Krispy Kreme owned 75 stores as of February 3, 2002. Most of these stores were developed between 1937 and 1996 and:

    Were designed as wholesale bakeries
 
    Generate a majority of their sales volume through off-premises sales
 
    Are located in the Southeast
 
    Are larger than new Krispy Kreme stores

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     Company stores as of February 3, 2002 included nine stores in Northern California and two stores in Philadelphia, both of which are operated by area developer joint ventures in which Krispy Kreme has a majority ownership interest. The terms of our arrangements with area developers described below also are applicable to our agreements with these joint ventures.

     Associates. We had 23 associates who operated 52 stores as of February 3, 2002. Associate stores have attributes which are similar to those of company stores. This group generally concentrates on growing sales within the current base of stores rather than developing new stores or new territories. With two exceptions, associates are not obligated to develop additional stores within their territories. We cannot grant licenses to other franchisees or sell products bearing the Krispy Kreme brand name within an associate’s territory during the term of the license agreement.

     Associates are typically parties to 15-year licensing agreements, which generally permit them to operate stores using the Krispy Kreme system within a specific territory. Associates pay royalties of 3.0% of on-premises sales and 1.0% of all other sales, with the exception of private label sales for which there are no royalties. They are not currently required to contribute to the public relations and advertising fund, although many have voluntarily agreed to do so beginning in fiscal 2003. Our associates who were shareholders prior to our initial public offering in April 2000 have franchise agreements which were extended automatically for a period of 20 years following that offering and thereafter are renewed automatically for five-year periods, unless previously terminated by either party. We do not plan to license any new Krispy Kreme franchisees under the terms of the associate license agreement.

     Area developers. Under our area developer franchise program, which we introduced in the mid-1990s to strategically expand nationally into new territories, we license territories, usually defined by metropolitan statistical areas, to area developers who are capable of developing a prescribed number of stores within a specified time period. Area developer stores typically are designed and developed in locations favorable to achieving high volume on-premises sales, although they are also equipped to generate off-premises sales.

     As of February 3, 2002, we had 24 area developers operating 91 stores with contractual commitments to open over 200 stores in their territories during their initial development schedule. As described further in Note 19 to our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2002, as of February 3, 2002, we held a majority interest in our Northern California and Philadelphia area developers and minority interests in seven additional area developer markets, in each case through joint venture arrangements. We believe equity investments in our area developer territories more closely align our interests with our area developers and also create greater financial opportunity for the Company.

     Our area developers are typically multi-unit food operators with a high level of knowledge about the local territory or territories they will develop and a proven financial capability to fully develop their territories. Our strategy is to grow primarily through area developers. Our area developer program includes a royalty and fee structure that is more attractive to Krispy Kreme than that of our associate program, as well as territory development requirements.

     Each of our area developers is required to enter into two types of agreements: a development agreement which establishes the number of stores to be developed in an area and a franchise agreement for each store opened. Area developers typically pay franchise fees ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 for each store which they develop.

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     Our current standard franchise agreement provides for a 15-year term. The agreement is renewable subject to our discretion and can be terminated for a number of reasons, including the failure of the franchisee to make timely payments within applicable grace periods, subject to state law. Area developers pay a 4.5% royalty fee on all sales and are required to contribute 1.0% of all sales to a company-administered public relations and advertising fund.

     In addition to a franchise agreement, all area developers have signed development agreements which require them to develop a specified number of stores on or before specific dates. Generally, these agreements have a five-year term. If area developers fail to develop their stores on schedule, we have the right to terminate the agreement and develop company stores or develop stores through new area developers or joint ventures.

     Generally, we do not provide financing to our franchisees other than in our capacity as an equity investor as described above. When we are an equity investor, we contribute equity or guarantee debt or lease commitments of the joint venture proportionate to our ownership interest. See Note 19, “Joint Ventures,” to our consolidated financial statements. In the past, however, we had a program permitting franchisees to lease proprietary Krispy Kreme equipment from our primary bank; and we guaranteed the leases. One franchisee has taken advantage of this program, which we no longer offer.

Marketing

     Krispy Kreme’s approach to marketing is a natural extension of our brand equity, brand attributes, relationship with our customers, and our values. We believe we have a responsibility to our customers to engage in marketing activities that are consistent with, and further reinforce, their confidence and strong feelings about Krispy Kreme. Accordingly, we have established certain guiding brand principles, which include:

    We will not attempt to define the Krispy Kreme experience for our customer
 
    We prefer to have our customers tell their Krispy Kreme stories and share their experiences with others
 
    We will focus on enhancing customer experiences through product-focused, value-added activities
 
    We will develop local, community-based relationships in all Krispy Kreme markets

     To build our brand and drive our comparable store sales in a manner aligned with our brand principles, we have focused our marketing activities in the following areas:

     Store experience. Our stores are where customers first experience a Hot Original Glazed. Customers know that when our Hot Doughnuts Now sign in the store window is illuminated, they can see our doughnuts being made and enjoy a Hot Original Glazed within seconds after it passes through the glaze waterfall. We believe this begins a lifetime relationship with our customers and forms the foundation of the Krispy Kreme experience.

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     Relationship marketing. Most of our brand-building activities are grassroots-based and focus on developing relationships with various constituencies, including consumers, schools, communities and businesses. Specific initiatives include:

    Product donations to local radio and television stations, schools, government agencies and other community organizations
 
    Good neighbor product deliveries to create trial uses
 
    Sponsorship of local events and nonprofit organizations
 
    A “Good Grades Program,” which recognizes scholastic achievement with certificates and free doughnuts
 
    Our “Krispy Kreme Ambassador Program,” which enlists our fans as ambassadors in new markets to generate awareness and excitement around a new store opening

     Fundraising sales. Fundraising sales are high volume sales to local charitable organizations at discounted prices. Charities in turn resell our products at prices which approximate retail. We believe that providing a fundraising program to local community organizations and schools helps demonstrate our commitment to the local community, enhances brand awareness, increases consumer loyalty and attracts more customers into our stores.

     Product placement. Since fiscal 1997, as we began growing nationally, there has been a significant increase in our product placements and references to our products on television programs and in selected films, including NBC Today Show, Rosie O’Donnell, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Ally McBeal, NYPD Blue, The Practice and Primary Colors. We have been mentioned in more than 75 movies and television shows during the year ended February 3, 2002 and more than 150 movies and television shows during the prior two years. We have also been featured or mentioned in over 9,000 print publications during fiscal 2002 and 2,500 print publications during fiscal 2001, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Forbes and Fast Company. We believe the increasing number of placements and references are a reflection of the growing interest in our product and brand.

     Advertising. Relationship marketing and product placement have been central to building our brand awareness. Although our marketing strategy has not historically employed traditional advertising, we intend to develop and test media advertising in a manner consistent with our brand principles.

Management Information Systems

     Krispy Kreme has a management information system that allows for the rapid communication of extensive information among our corporate office, support operations, company stores, associates and area developers. Our franchisees and other affiliates connect to this system through our Intranet and have access to e-mail and the ability to provide financial reporting. Our management information systems strategy centers around our “Krispy Kreme Information Exchange,” which leverages intranet, extranet and internet environments. We have adopted a balanced scorecard approach for measuring key performance drivers in each of our business units. Scorecard data are generated internally through our management information system.

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     An enterprise resource planning system supports all major financial and operating functions within the corporation including financial reporting, inventory control and human resources. A comprehensive data warehouse system supports the financial and operating needs of our Store Operations and KKM&D.

     All company stores have been retrofitted with a Windows NT-based point of sale, or POS, system. This POS system provides each store with the ability to more closely manage on-premises and off-premises sales while providing a kiosk into our Intranet. We poll the sales information from each store’s POS system, which gives us the ability to analyze data regularly. Daily two-way electronic communication with our stores permits sales transactions to be uploaded and price changes to be downloaded to in-store POS servers.

     Direct store delivery sales operations have access to an internally-developed route accounting system networked into the corporate Intranet. Information from these systems is polled weekly and aggregated into the corporate manufacturing data warehouse.

     The majority of our information technology hardware, including POS systems, is leased.

Competition

     Our competitors include retailers of doughnuts and snacks sold through supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants and retail stores. We compete against Dunkin’ Donuts, which has the largest number of outlets in the doughnut retail industry, as well as against regionally and locally owned doughnut shops. We compete on elements such as food quality, concept, convenience, location, customer service and value. Customer service, including frequency of deliveries and maintenance of fully stocked shelves, is an important factor in successfully competing for shelf space in grocery stores and convenience stores.

     We believe that our controlled process, which ensures the high volume production of premium quality doughnuts, makes us strong competitors in both food quality and value. Through our comprehensive site selection process and uniform store specifications and designs, we identify premier locations that are highly visible and increase customer convenience.

     We believe that in the in-store bakery market, many operators are looking for cost-effective alternatives to making doughnuts on-site. With a quality product and recognized brand name, Krispy Kreme has been able to provide a turnkey program that is profitable for the grocer. In addition, we also believe that we compete effectively in convenience stores. There is an industry trend moving towards expanded fresh product offerings during morning and evening drive times, and products are either sourced from a central commissary or brought in by local bakeries. Krispy Kreme provides fresh daily delivery, merchandised in an attractive branded display which retailers must use to participate in the program.

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Through effective signage and merchandising, operators are able to draw customers into the store, thus gaining add-on sales. As category management increases in this segment, growth should come from increased market penetration and enhanced display opportunities for our products.

     In the packaged doughnut market, we offer a full product line of doughnuts and snacks that are sold on a consignment basis and are typically merchandised on a free-standing branded display. We compete primarily with other well known producers of baked goods, such as Hostess and Dolly Madison, and some regional brands.

Trademarks

     Our doughnut shops are operated under the Krispy Kreme name, and we use over 45 federally registered trademarks, including “Krispy Kreme” and “Hot Doughnuts Now” and the logos associated with these marks. We have also registered some of our trademarks in approximately 18 other countries. We license the use of these trademarks to our franchisees for the operation of their doughnut shops. We also license the use of certain trademarks to convenience stores and grocery stores in connection with the sale of some of our products at those locations.

     Although we are not aware of anyone else who is using “Krispy Kreme” or “Hot Doughnuts Now” as a trademark or service mark, we are aware that some businesses are using “Krispy” or a phonetic equivalent, such as “Crispie Creme,” as part of a trademark or service mark associated with retail doughnut stores. There may be similar uses we are unaware of which could arise from prior users. We aggressively pursue persons who unlawfully and without our consent use our trademarks.

Government Regulation

     Local regulation. Our stores are subject to licensing and regulation by a number of government authorities, which may include health, sanitation, safety, fire, building and other agencies in the states or municipalities in which our doughnut shops are located. Developing new doughnut stores in particular areas could be delayed by problems in obtaining the required licenses and approvals or by more stringent requirements of local government bodies with respect to zoning, land use and environmental factors. Our standard development and franchise agreements require our area developers and associates to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, and indemnify us for costs we may incur attributable to their failure to comply.

     Food product regulation. Our doughnut mixes are produced at our manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture has regulatory power over food products shipped from this facility, as well as from Krispy Kreme’s commissary in Charlotte, North Carolina. Similar state regulations may apply to products shipped from our doughnut shops to grocery or convenience stores. Many of our grocery and convenience store customers require us to guarantee our products’ compliance with applicable food regulations.

     As is the case for other food producers, numerous other government regulations apply to our products. For example, the ingredient list, product weight and other aspects of our product labels are subject to state and federal regulation for accuracy and content. Most states will periodically check the product for compliance. The use of various product ingredients and packaging materials is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Federal Food and Drug Administration. Conceivably, one or more ingredients in our products could be banned, and substitute ingredients would then need to be found.

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     Franchise regulation. We must comply with regulations adopted by the Federal Trade Commission, or the FTC, and with several state laws that regulate the offer and sale of franchises. The FTC’s Trade Regulation Rule on Franchising, or the FTC Rule, and certain state laws require that we furnish prospective franchisees with a franchise offering circular containing information prescribed by the FTC Rule and applicable state laws and regulations.

     We also must comply with a number of state laws that regulate some substantive aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. These laws may limit a franchisor’s ability to: terminate or not renew a franchise without good cause; prohibit interference with the right of free association among franchisees; disapprove the transfer of a franchise; discriminate among franchisees with regard to charges, royalties and other fees; and place new stores near existing franchises. To date, these laws have not precluded us from seeking franchisees in any given area and have not had a material adverse effect on our operations.

     Bills intended to regulate certain aspects of franchise relationships have been introduced into Congress on several occasions during the last decade, but none has been enacted.

     Employment regulations. We are subject to state and federal labor laws that govern our relationship with employees, such as minimum wage requirements, overtime and working conditions and citizenship requirements. Many of our on-premises and delivery personnel are paid at rates related to the federal minimum wage. Accordingly, further increases in the minimum wage could increase our labor costs. Furthermore, the work conditions at our facilities are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and subject to periodic inspections.

     Other regulations. We have several contracts to serve United States military bases, which require compliance with certain applicable regulations. The stores which serve these military bases are subject to health and cleanliness inspections by military authorities. These accounts are not material to our overall business. We are also subject to federal and state environmental regulations, but we currently believe that these will not have a material effect on our operations.

Employees

     As of February 3, 2002 we had 3,632 employees. Of these, 269 were employed in our administrative offices and 185 were employed in our manufacturing and distribution centers. In our company stores and commissaries, we had 3,178 employees. Of these, 2,917 were full-time, including 330 managers and administrators. These numbers do not include persons employed by our Northern California or Philadelphia joint ventures.

     None of our employees is a party to a collective bargaining agreement although we have experienced occasional unionization initiatives. We believe our relationships with our employees are good.

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ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES.

     Stores. As of February 3, 2002, there were 218 Krispy Kreme stores operating in 33 states and Canada, 75 of which were company stores, 91 of which were owned by area developers and 52 of which were owned by associates.

    All of our stores, except for our Charlotte manufacturing facility, have on-premises sales, and 119 stores also engage in off-premises sales.
 
    Of the 64 stores we operated ourselves as of February 3, 2002, we owned the land and buildings for 40 stores. We leased both the building and the land for 23 stores and leased only the land for 6 stores.

     Satellite stores. Our franchisees operated 15 satellite locations as of February 3, 2002. A satellite location is a retail doughnut store that does not produce doughnuts on site. Satellite locations are supplied with doughnuts from another local Krispy Kreme store that has production capability.

     KKM&D facilities. We own a 137,000 square foot manufacturing plant and distribution center in Winston-Salem and lease a 29,000 square foot distribution center near Los Angeles. We also own a manufacturing facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, which produces doughnuts and other bakery items, such as honey buns, fruit pies, dunkin sticks and miniature doughnuts for off-premises sales. In February 2001, we acquired a 100,000 square foot facility in Winston-Salem, which we use primarily as our equipment manufacturing facility and also as our training facility. In May 2001, we commenced construction of our Effingham, Illinois mix and distribution facility which is scheduled for completion in the first half of fiscal 2003, as described in Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements.

     Other properties. Our corporate headquarters is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We occupy approximately 35,000 square feet of this multi-tenant facility under a lease that expires on January 31, 2010, with one five-year renewal option. We have leased an additional 17,000 square feet in this facility under three leases which expire between August 31, 2003 and January 31, 2005.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     On March 9, 2000, a lawsuit was filed against the Company, Mr. Livengood and Golden Gate Doughnuts, LLC, a franchisee of the Company, in Superior Court in the state of California. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, breach of contract and seek compensation for injury as well as punitive damages. On September 22, 2000, after the case was transferred to the Sacramento Superior Court, that court granted our motion to compel arbitration of the action and stayed the action pending the outcome of arbitration. On November 3, 2000, the plaintiffs petitioned for a writ of mandate overruling the Superior Court. On December 21, 2000, the Court of Appeals summarily denied the writ petition. Plaintiffs failed to petition the California Supreme Court for review of the lower court’s decision within the time permitted by law. The lawsuit against Mr. Livengood was dismissed by the California court for lack of personal jurisdiction. Plaintiffs have not appealed this judgment, and their time for doing so has expired. On October 1, 2001, plaintiffs filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association against Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation, Golden Gate Doughnuts, LLC, Mr. Livengood and Mr. Bruckman. On November 5, 2001, the Company filed a response to the arbitration demand generally

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denying all claims and raising numerous affirmative, dispositive defenses. An Arbitration panel has been selected and the arbitration process is still in its initial stages. The Company continues to believe that the allegations are without merit and that the outcome of the arbitration will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.

     From time to time, we are subject to other claims and suits arising in the course of our business, none of which we believe is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

     We maintain customary insurance policies against claims and suits which arise in the course of our business, including insurance policies for workers’ compensation and personal injury, some of which provide for relatively large deductible amounts.

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002.

PART II

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

     On May 17, 2001, our common stock began trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KKD. During the period April 5, 2000 through May 16, 2001, our common stock traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol KREM. Prior to that time, there was no trading market for our common stock. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low closing sales price of our common stock for the periods indicated.

                 
    High   Low
   
 
Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2002:
               
First Quarter
  $ 21.93     $ 15.13  
Second Quarter
    41.80       20.32  
Third Quarter
    37.50       26.55  
Fourth Quarter
    45.75       34.34  
 
               
Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2001:
               
First Quarter (beginning April 5)
  $ 11.50     $ 9.25  
Second Quarter
    19.88       10.13  
Third Quarter
    24.96       14.77  
Fourth Quarter
    26.25       15.89  

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Dividend Policy

     We intend to retain our earnings to finance the expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination regarding cash dividend payments will be made by our board of directors and will depend upon the following factors:

     
• Earnings   • Capital requirements
• Financial condition   • Restrictions in financing agreements
• Other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors

     Dividend payments are restricted by our bank credit facilities to 50% of our net income for the immediately preceding fiscal year.

     We routinely declared cash dividends on our common stock prior to our initial public offering in April 2000. In addition, on April 5, 2000, we distributed $7,005,000, or $0.1875 per share, to our then existing shareholders as part of our corporate reorganization which took effect immediately prior to our initial public offering.

     The following table shows total and per share cash dividends we have declared on the shares of our common stock during the periods indicated:

                         
    Year Ended
   
    January 30, 2000   January 28, 2001   February 3, 2002
   
 
 
Total cash dividends declared
  $     $ 7,005,000     $  
Per share
  $     $ 0.1875     $  
     
ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Selected Financial Data” in the Company’s fiscal 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders.

     
ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

     The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s fiscal 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders.

     
ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

     The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risks” in the Company’s fiscal 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders.

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ITEM 8.      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

     The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto in the Company’s fiscal 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders.

     
ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

     None.

PART III

ITEM 10.      DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     Refer to the information in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2002 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 5, 2002 (the “Proxy Statement”), under the captions “Election of Directors” and “Executive Officers,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

     For information concerning Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, refer to the information under the caption “Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934” of the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11.      EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

     Refer to the information under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Election of Directors — Directors’ Compensation” of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference. See also the information under the caption “Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation” of the Proxy Statement, which information is not incorporated by reference.

ITEM 12.      SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

     Refer to the information under the caption “Voting Securities and Principal Shareholders” of the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.      CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

     Refer to the information under the caption “Related Party Transactions” of the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein.

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PART IV

ITEM 14.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a) Financial Statements and Schedules

     1.     Financial Statements. The following Consolidated Financial Statements of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. and the Report of Independent Accountants are incorporated by reference to the corresponding sections of the Company’s fiscal 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.

    Description
   
     

  Report of Independent Accountants
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 28, 2001 and February 3, 2002
Consolidated Statements of Operations for Years Ended January 30, 2000, January 28, 2001 and February 3, 2002
Consolidated Statements of Shareholder’s Equity for the Years Ended January 30, 2000, January 28, 2001 and February 3, 2002
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended January 30, 2000, January 28, 2001 and February 3, 2002
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     2.     Financial Statement Schedule. The following financial statement schedule is included in this Part IV of this Form 10-K.

             
    Schedule        
   
  Page
       
    Schedule II – Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves Report of Independent Accountants     29
S-1

     Schedules not listed above have been omitted because they are not applicable or are not required or the information required to be set forth therein is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

     We filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Commission on November 1, 2001 in which we reported the announcement of our new doughnut and coffee shop concept and provided updated disclosure regarding the legal proceeding relating to our Northern California franchise.

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(c) Exhibits

         
Exhibit        
Number       Description of Exhibits

     
2.1     Agreement and Plan of Merger among the Company, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation and KKDC Reorganization Corporation dated December 2, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on December 16, 1999)
         
3.1     Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on December 16, 1999 and Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Commission File No. 333-47326) filed with the Commission on October 4, 2000)
         
3.2     Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on December 16, 1999)
         
4.1     Form of Certificate for Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on April 3, 2000)
         
4.2     Rights Agreement between the Company and Branch Banking and Trust Company, as Rights Agent, dated as of January 18, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on April 3, 2000)
         
10.1     Form of Associates License Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on December 16, 1999)
         
10.2     Form of Development Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on December 16, 1999)
         
10.3     Form of Franchise Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on December 16, 1999)
         
10.4     Letter Agreement, dated April 12, 1994, between Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation and Mr. Scott A. Livengood (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)

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Exhibit        
Number       Description of Exhibits

     
10.5     Letter Agreement, dated February 15, 1994, between Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation and Mr. Joseph A. McAleer, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.6     Guaranty of Payment Agreement, dated September 18, 1998, by Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation for the benefit of Beattie F. Armstrong and Beattie F. Armstrong, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.7     Collateral Repurchase Agreement, dated October 22, 1996, by and among Robert L. McCoy, Gulf Florida Doughnut Corporation, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation and Branch Banking and Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.8     Collateral Repurchase Agreement, dated May 29, 1996, among Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation, Midwest Doughnuts, LLC and The First National Bank of Olathe (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on December 16, 1999)
         
10.9     Guaranty by Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation, dated May 29, 1996, in favor of the First National Bank of Olathe with respect to the obligations of Midwest Doughnuts, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.10     Collateral Repurchase Agreement, dated February 25, 1994, by and among Mr. William J. Dorgan, Mrs. Patricia M. Dorgan, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation and Southern National Bank of North Carolina (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.11     Trademark License Agreement, dated May 27, 1996, between HDN Development—Corporation and Krispy Kreme Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)

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Exhibit        
Number       Description of Exhibits

     
10.12     1998 Stock Option Plan dated August 6, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.13     Long-Term Incentive Plan dated January 30, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.14     Form of Promissory Note relating to termination of Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.15     Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.16     Form of Promissory Note relating to restricted stock purchases (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.17     Employment Agreement dated August 10, 1999 between Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation and John N. McAleer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.18     Employment Agreement dated August 10, 1999 between Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation and Scott A. Livengood (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.19     Employment Agreement dated August 10, 1999 between Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation and J. Paul Breitbach (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.20     Employment Agreement dated February 1, 2001 between the Registrant and John W. Tate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2001)

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Exhibit        
Number       Description of Exhibits

     
10.21*     Employment Agreement dated December 1, 2000 between the Registrant and Randy S. Casstevens
         
10.22     Kingsmill Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-92909), filed with the Commission on February 22, 2000)
         
10.23     2000 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Commission File No. 333-47326), filed with the Commission on October 4, 2000)
         
10.24     Loan Agreement dated December 29, 1999 among Branch Banking and Trust Company, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation, Thornton’s Flav-O-Rich Bakery, Inc., Krispy Kreme Distributing Company, Inc., Krispy Kreme Support Operations Company, HD Capital Corporation, HDN Development Corporation and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-53284), filed with the Commission on January 18, 2001)
         
10.25     Credit Agreement dated as of March 21, 2002 between Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation and Wachovia Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 5, 2002)
         
13*     Portions of the Registrant’s Fiscal 2002 Report to Shareholders
         
21.1*     List of Subsidiaries
         
23.1*     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
         
24.1*     Powers of Attorney of certain officers and directors of the Company (included on the signature page of this Form 10-K)

*     Filed herewith.

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SCHEDULE II

Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

                                         
                    Additions                
            Additions   Charged                
    Balance at   Charged   to           Balance at
    Beginning   to   Other           End
Reserve for Doubtful Accounts   of Period   Operations   Accounts   Deductions(1)   of Period

 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended January 30, 2000
  $ 975,000     $ 832,506     $     $ 483,644     $ 1,323,862  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
For the year ended January 28, 2001
  $ 1,323,862     $ 1,349,000     $     $ 1,371,067     $ 1,301,795  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
For the year ended February 3, 2002
  $ 1,301,795     $ 501,974     $     $ 621,769     $ 1,182,000  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 


(1)   Amounts represent net write-off of uncollectible receivable balances.

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Report of Independent Accountants on
Financial Statement Schedule

To the Board of Directors of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.:

     Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report dated March 8, 2002, except Note 21 for which the date is March 27, 2002, appearing in the 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (which report and consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) also included an audit of the financial statement schedule listed in Item 14(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, this financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
  
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Greensboro, North Carolina
March 8, 2002

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

         
         
    By:   /s/ Randy S. Casstevens
       
        Name: Randy S. Casstevens
        Title: Chief Financial Officer
         
Date: May 6, 2002        

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Scott A. Livengood, John W. Tate and Randy S. Casstevens, or any of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments or supplements to this Form 10-K and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary or appropriate to be done with this Form 10-K and any amendments or supplements hereto, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on May 6, 2002.

     
Signature   Title

 
 
/s/ Scott A. Livengood

Scott A. Livengood
  Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief
Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
 
/s/ John N. NcAleer

John N. McAleer
  Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Vice
President, Concept Development
 
/s/ Randy S. Casstevens

Randy S. Casstevens
  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
 
/s/ Frank E. Guthrie

Frank E. Guthrie
  Director


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/s/ Mary Davis Holt

Mary Davis Holt
  Director
 
/s/ William T. Lynch

William T. Lynch
  Director
 
/s/ Joseph A. McAleer, Jr.

Joseph A. McAleer, Jr.
  Director
 
 

Robert L. McCoy
  Director
 
/s/ James H. Morgan

James H. Morgan
  Director
 
/s/ Steven D. Smith

Steven D. Smith
  Director
 
/s/ Robert L. Strickland

Robert L. Strickland
  Director
 
/s/ Togo D. West, Jr.

Togo D. West, Jr.
  Director