Krispy Kreme Cheerwine doughnut introduced at State Capitol

RALEIGH -- Two North Carolina delicacies, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Cheerwine soda, have been combined.

The Cheerwine Kreme Filled Doughnut was introduced at Gov. Bev Perdue’s office in the State Capitol this morning and will be available to the public Thursday through July.

The treat is a Krispy Kreme doughnut, filled with Cheerwine-flavored creme and topped with chocolate glaze and sprinkles. Available at up to 1,000 stores in North and South Carolina, the limited run marks the first collaboration between the two companies.

“Cheerwine has been a popular flavor with food for a long time,” said Cliff Ritchie, Cheerwine’s president. “This was a natural fit. It is like North Carolina in a doughnut.”

Brad Wall, Krispy Kreme’s senior vice president of supply chain and off-premise operations, said the doughnut stemmed from frequent consumer requests for the pairing.

“We’re always looking for new, unique flavors, and Cheerwine offers that,” Wall said.

Perdue said the fusion of the products showed the success North Carolina businesses could achieve. Citing the snack’s flavor as a “home run,” she said it would help raise awareness of the state’s economy.

“People everywhere know these two names,” Perdue said. “It helps spread the brand of North Carolina. You have shown today how a small business can become big business.”

Mark LaBrecque, Krispy Kreme’s director of off-premise marketing, said synergy between local companies like Cheerwine and his own are critical for a healthy state economy. Pointing out the many area stores stocking the short-lived good, he said it was a rare union which intrigued customers.

“This should generate some excitement,” LaBrecque said. “This is the kind of thing people like to talk about.”

Offering 11 boxes of the delectable to passersby, the two companies seem pleased with their team-up for new tastes. Ritchie said the doughnut’s creation was a rare moment of experience beating expectation.

“You come up with an idea, and you won’t know how it will turn out until you taste it in reality,” he said. “This exceeded our expectations.”