Dunkin’ Donuts to challenge Krispy Kreme at home

WINSTON-SALEM — Dunkin’ Donuts is going after Krispy Kreme, right in its hometown of Winston-Salem.

Franchise operators for Dunkin’ Donuts plan more than a dozen stores in Forsyth and Davie counties over the next four years.

Krispy Kreme has stores in Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point.

But the nation’s largest coffee-and-doughnut franchise, Massachusetts-based Dunkin’ Donuts, plans to challenge the hometown favorite.

Sunny Patel plans five Dunkin’ Donuts stores in northern Forsyth County. Sundeep Makhani told the Winston-Salem Journal he plans eight more stores in the area.

Krispy Kreme spokesman Brian Little wouldn’t talk about Dunkin’ Donuts, but did say Krispy Kreme thinks there’s room for everyone.

Makhani says he thinks Dunkin’ Donuts coffee is more important in attracting morning customers.

Information from: Winston-Salem Journal, http://www.journalnow.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)