Most Fridays you will find a post here dealing with my journey to becoming a Modern Elder. That journey is based around four concepts: experience, wisdom, curiosity, and adaptability.
Today I’m linking that train of thought to the fact that it is National Donut Day, and the common thread will be found in reviewing the histories of two of the largest and best-known donut chains in the U.S. – Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ – for leadership principles.
The source of information on these companies comes from two books: Making Dough: The 12 Secrets Ingredients of Krispy Kreme’s Sweet Success (2004) and Around the Corner to Around the World: A Dozen Lessons I Learned Running Dunkin’ Donuts (2020). In addition, I dropped in on three local donut shops in the last week, culminating in a trip to the Krispy Kreme corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC, and their flagship store.
It turns out that there is a great deal you can learn from donuts.
Mention the words “Krispy Kreme” and people start licking their lips. The company inspires such loyal customer devotion that new store openings routinely cause traffic jams and attract widespread media attention.
With its iconic green and red logo, tantalizing “Hot Now” sign, and melt-in-your-mouth original glazed recipe, Krispy Kreme has become a beacon of joy and indulgence in a world often sorely lacking in both.
More than eight decades after the first doughnut was handed to a customer in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Krispy Kreme has grown into one of the world’s most beloved brands.
How has Krispy Kreme managed to build such a successful brand and business, especially since it spends no money on advertising? What does the future hold for this unique corporation? And what can other businesses do to emulate Krispy Kreme’s amazing accomplishments?
“Making Dough: The 12 Secret Ingredients of Krispy Kreme’s Sweet Success” offers an insightful exploration into the rise and success of Krispy Kreme, one of America’s most beloved doughnut brands. Authored by Kirk Kazanjian and Amy Joyner, the book provides a comprehensive narrative that intertwines business strategies, company culture, and personal anecdotes to unveil the key elements that contributed to Krispy Kreme’s rapid growth and enduring appeal.
The book is structured around twelve core principles that the authors identify as fundamental to Krispy Kreme’s achievements. These “secret ingredients” are not merely business tactics but also embody the ethos and values that the company espouses. Each chapter delves into one of these principles, supported by interviews with key figures, historical context, and detailed case studies.
- Mix good taste with show business
- Be picky about your partners
- Make good use of your time and resources
- Expand and protect your brand
- Think big, but grow carefully
- Be a guerrilla marketer with a soft touch
- Maintain high standards
- Harness the power of technology
- Give back to the community
- Select, train, and treat your employees well
- Build on your success
- Keep them coming back
Making Dough provides an entertaining and informative business history of a beloved American brand. The authors appear to have extensively researched Krispy Kreme and gained insights from interviews with executives, franchisees, analysts and others.
The book’s central core of “12 secret ingredients” provides a useful framework for understanding Krispy Kreme’s success and keeps the storytelling engaging. At times this device was a bit contrived or oversimplified the company’s actual history, but overall it highlights important elements that made Krispy Kreme stand out.
Making Dough is an easy, interesting read with lessons applicable to many businesses – not just a niche story for doughnut lovers. Readers will find an inspiring entrepreneurial and branding success story with insights into franchising, experiential retail, building customer loyalty, and managing growth.
However, since the book was published in 2004, it doesn’t cover Krispy Kreme’s later struggles, including accounting scandals, over expansion, and various leadership departures.
In summary, Making Dough is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in Krispy Kreme’s history, retailing, franchising or brand-building – just keep in mind it covers a limited time period in the company’s history.
Filled with interesting anecdotes and fascinating facts, Making Dough tells the compelling true story of a company that has managed to maintain a wholesome, small-town image, while achieving phenomenal success through a mixture of customer loyalty, high product standards, technological advancements, and community involvement.
Making Dough shows you how Krispy Kreme’s delectable delights rose to the top and continue to tempt the world. Pour yourself a tall glass of cold milk, grab a napkin (or six), and get ready to discover why, when it comes to donuts, there’s just no beating the OG (Original Glazed, that is) as it comes hot off the line.
Step right up and grab a front-row seat, folks, because we’re about to take a deep dive into the sugary, caffeine-fueled world of Dunkin’, the coffee and donut juggernaut that’s been keeping America running for over seven decades. From its humble beginnings as a single coffee shop in Quincy, Massachusetts, to its current status as a global breakfast behemoth with over 12,000 locations worldwide, Dunkin’ has been serving up smiles and satisfying cravings with its iconic pink and orange logo.
But what’s the secret sauce behind this donut dynasty? How did a simple coffee and pastry shop become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring everything from wedding cakes to sneaker collaborations? Is it the mouth-watering aroma of freshly brewed coffee that lures in bleary-eyed commuters every morning? The dizzying array of colorful, creative donut flavors that make your taste buds do a happy dance? The warm, friendly atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re part of one big, donut-loving family?
Around the Corner to Around the World: A Dozen Lessons I Learned Running Dunkin’ Donuts by Robert Rosenberg is an enlightening memoir and business guide from the former CEO of Dunkin’ Donuts. Rosenberg recounts his experiences and shares the wisdom he gained during his 35-year tenure leading the company. The book is structured around twelve key lessons, each encapsulating essential insights and strategies that contributed to Dunkin’ Donuts’ evolution from a regional chain to a global powerhouse.
- Leadership is paramount.
- Family Businesses pose unique challenges.
- Quality matters.
- Effective planning process.
- Importance of striking the right balance between exploitation and experimentation.
- The tasks and character of an effective CEO.
- The importance of trust and mood in coordinating action.
- The exceptional benefits of franchising.
- Innovate – test – iterate.
- Alignment is critical.
- Pick and groom a successor.
- Transferable lessons for a life well-lived.
Around the Corner to Around the World offers a candid and engaging look at the challenges and triumphs of running an iconic American business. Rosenberg’s storytelling is straightforward, insightful, and often humorous. He doesn’t sugarcoat his own mistakes or the difficulties Dunkin’ faced.
The book is more than just a corporate history. Rosenberg uses his experience to draw out broader lessons about leadership, entrepreneurship, branding, and adapting to change. Many of these lessons, like the importance of hiring talent, fostering innovation, and understanding your own strengths and weaknesses, will resonate with business leaders in any industry.
At the same time, the book provides a fascinating inside look at the evolution of Dunkin’ Donuts. Rosenberg offers detail on key decisions and turning points, like the creation of Munchkins, the introduction of bagels, and the shift away from a wholesale model. He’s honest about the missteps, like ill-fated attempts to expand to Europe and California.
One minor critique is that the 12-lesson structure can feel a bit forced at times. Some lessons overlap or could be combined. Additionally, those looking for a tell-all may be disappointed. While candid, Rosenberg focuses more on business lessons than personal gossip. Finally, though published in 2020, the time period covered ends in 1998 and thus lacks all the changes made in the last two decades.
Overall, Around the Corner to Around the World is an insightful, engaging read for anyone interested in business leadership, entrepreneurship, or the history of an iconic American brand. Rosenberg comes across as a sincere, savvy leader who played a pivotal role in Dunkin’s success.
Around the Corner to Around the World will make you want to grab a cup of your favorite Dunkin’ brew, sit back, and get ready to discover why America truly “Runs on Dunkin’.” But be warned: by the time you finish reading, you might just find yourself craving a Boston Kreme or a Munchkin (or a dozen).
In the ever-evolving landscape of business and entrepreneurship, the enduring success of Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts serves as a testament to the power of unwavering commitment, strategic innovation, and a deep understanding of customer desires. These doughnut dynasties have not only satiated our collective sweet tooth but have also imparted invaluable lessons on branding, leadership, and the art of building a dedicated following. As we savor the insights gleaned from their remarkable journeys, we are reminded that true greatness often lies in the simplest of pleasures – a warm, freshly baked doughnut and a cup of coffee shared with loved ones. In a world of ever-changing trends, the timeless allure of these doughnut empires reminds us that sometimes, the sweetest things in life are the ones that never go out of style.
In your donut appetite is still not satisfied, here’s few more articles to fill you up!
- A Round Look at the Hole History: The Donut’s Journey Through America
- Glazed, Frosted, and Sprinkled: Getting Ready for National Donut Day
- Donut Nostalgia: A Journey from Childhood Treats to Adult Indulgences
27gen.com 