 But Vern got restless. One day he up and left, taking that secret recipe with him, opening one, then another, then another donut shop. Nowadays, the company sells millions of those donuts every day. Krispy Kreme Donuts has become a giant, with stores nationwide, and even a display in the Smithsonian. Looks like Vern Rudolph's Krispy Kreme Donuts will be around for a long time.