Vernon Rudolph facts for kids

Vernon Carver Rudolph (born June 30, 1915 – died August 16, 1973) was an American businessman. He is famous for starting Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., a very popular doughnut company.

The Story of Vernon Rudolph

Early Life

Vernon Carver Rudolph was born in Marshall County, Kentucky. He was the oldest of four children. His parents were Plumie and Rethie Rudolph. One of his brothers, Lewis Rudolph, later helped him build Krispy Kreme. As a young boy, Vernon helped out in his uncle's general store.

Starting a Sweet Business

After finishing high school, Vernon Rudolph went to Paducah, Kentucky with his uncle. In 1933, his uncle bought a doughnut shop. He also got a special recipe for light, fluffy doughnuts from a chef named Joe LeBeau. This was during the Great Depression, a tough time for many people.

They tried to find better business in Nashville, Tennessee. When that didn't work out, they moved back to Kentucky. Vernon's uncle then sold the doughnut business to Vernon's father. Vernon's brother, Lewis, started working there too. Later, his father opened more shops in Charleston, West Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia.

Krispy Kreme is Born

In the summer of 1937, Vernon Rudolph wanted to open his own Krispy Kreme shop. He moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He rented a building near Salem College. On July 13, 1937, he opened his very first Krispy Kreme shop. He used the original, secret doughnut recipe.

At first, he sold his delicious doughnuts to local grocery stores. But soon, people started coming to the shop itself. They wanted to buy hot doughnuts right away! In the 1940s, Krispy Kreme grew. Vernon began selling franchises, which meant other people could open Krispy Kreme shops using his name and recipe. In 1947, he officially started the Krispy Kreme Corporation. He became its first Chairman and President.

Family Life

In 1939, Vernon married Ruth Ayers from Atlanta, Georgia. They adopted a baby girl named Patricia Ann in 1943. Sadly, Ruth passed away in a car accident in 1944.

In 1946, Vernon married again to Lorraine Flynt. They had four children together: Vernon Carver Jr., Sanford, Curtis, and Beverly.

His Final Years

Vernon Rudolph passed away on August 17, 1973. He was 58 years old. He died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the city where he first started Krispy Kreme.