A popular fast food chain is returning to Minnesota 16 years after closing all its locations in the state.
Krispy Kreme is currently in the early stages of opening a Fridley location in what used to be a CVS Pharmacy next year.
The North Carolina-based donut empire also plans to implement a ‘donut factory’ that will produce the treats and deliver them to other store locations, according to Bring Me The News.
‘The City is excited about the reuse of building and wish for Krispy Kreme’s success,’ Fridley Planning Manager Stacy Stromberg wrote in an email to Bring Me The News.
The company submitted a building permit application in late September, and officials are expected to approve the upcoming remodel later this month.
Krispy Kreme operated at least six locations in Minnesota between 2002 and 2008.
The fast food chain opened its first location in Maple Grove back in 2002.
Nearly 500 customers waited in line to purchase donuts inside the location, and cars at the drive-thru stretched for to five blocks, according to the Star Tribune.
Donut enthusiasts purchased more than 150,000 treats by the end of the day and set a company opening week sales record at the time.
Customers outside of Maple Grove later had the option to purchase donuts at Krispy Kreme locations in Apple Valley, Coon Rapids, Eden Prairie, New Brighton, and the Mall of America.
It also supplied local Minnesota businesses with original glazed donut products.
Each store closed its doors one by one, and by 2008, Minnesota residents hoping to visit a Krispy Kreme had to drive more than 200 miles to the nearest location in Iowa.
The new Krispy Kreme location plan comes years after then-21-year-old college student Jayson Gonzalez sold hundreds of Krispy Kreme donuts he purchased in Iowa to customers in Minnesota.
Gonzales drove four hours to Iowa nearly every weekend in 2019 and sold them for $17 to $20 per box.
Discussions over Krispy Kreme locations ignited again after the company announced its partnership with McDonald’s.
Select McDonald’s locations in Chicago are now selling three kinds of Krispy Kreme donuts, and their goal is to have those menu items be at restaurants nationwide by the end of 2026.
‘The top request we receive from consumers is for more access to our delicious, fresh doughnuts,’ Josh Charlesworth, Krispy Kreme President and CEO said in a press release.
As of now, Krispy Kreme currently has over 350 locations nationwide.
Daily Mail has reached out to Krispy Kreme for comment.