Sales of the leading doughnut brands of the U.S. 2015

This graph shows the sales of the leading doughnut brands of the United States in 2015. Krispy Kreme was the third ranked doughnut brand of the United States with about 153.6 million U.S. dollars worth of sales in 2015.

Doughnut industry

The doughnut, or “donut” as it is commonly written in the United States, is a staple of American snack culture. The treat consists of fried sweet dough, which is often ring-shaped with the classic hole in the center or shaped like a small bread bun and filled with a sweet custard or jelly. It can be eaten plain or topped with sugar, icing, chocolate, and more.

The origin of the doughnut is disputed, and countries all over the globe produce their own variations, each with its own name. The “doughnut/donut” tends to be associated with an American diet. Most Americans consider themselves donut-eaters and the treat holds a special place in American pop culture. Just ask “The Simpsons” leading man Homer or any police officer depicted on television.

Americans cited Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme as the doughnut brands they eat most often. Both companies started in the U.S. over sixty years ago and now operate extensively around the globe. The companies are each other’s biggest rivals in the doughnut industry, while Dunkin’ Donuts also competes with Starbucks for coffee sales.

The doughnut has gotten a makeover in recent years, thanks to culinary experiments that freshened up the traditional treat and made it more appealing to everyone, from the blue collar worker enjoying his morning pastry to the professionally trained foodie critic. Doughnuts topped with bacon, with children’s cereal, stuffed with pizza, or morphed with a croissant are now all part of the doughnut experience. It seems doughnut fans have just a few more reasons to celebrate.