When Krispy Kreme announces a new shop opening, fans don’t just show up—they camp out. That’s exactly what happened in Redlands, California, as dozens of customers lined up with folding chairs and blankets on Monday night, eagerly awaiting the grand opening of the city’s newest Krispy Kreme Hot Light Theater Shop on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
The shop, located at 27511 San Bernardino Ave. in the Mountain Grove at Citrus Plaza shopping center, welcomed its first customers at 5:30 a.m.—well before sunrise. At the front of the line were Natalie Penaloza and Ethan Bittner, who claimed their spots at 8:30 p.m. the night before “just for fun.” By midnight, a growing crowd of fans had joined them, eager to be among the first to taste Krispy Kreme’s iconic hot-off-the-line doughnuts.
A Theater of Doughnut Making
At 5,206 square feet, the Redlands shop is one of Krispy Kreme’s Hot Light Theater Shops, designed to offer customers more than just a treat—it’s an experience. Guests can watch dough transform into doughnuts on state-of-the-art machines that mix, fry, and glide the golden rings under a cascading glaze waterfall before staff hand-decorate and fill them.
“It’s the largest kitchen in the area,” said Wendy Glickman, Chief Marketing Officer for Awesome Doughnut, LLC, the franchise group behind Southern California’s Krispy Kreme shops. “We wanted to create a space where the community can not only enjoy fresh doughnuts but also be part of the process.”
Redlands Gets Its Own Hot Light Tradition
Like every Krispy Kreme location, Redlands will light up its signature Hot Light to signal when fresh, warm doughnuts are ready to be boxed and served. For local fans, the magic hours will be 7-9 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. daily, though doughnuts will be made around the clock.
Store hours run from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., ensuring doughnut lovers can get their fix morning, noon, or night.
Limited-Time Magic
Although the Redlands shop didn’t launch with Krispy Kreme’s new Houses of Hogwarts Collection—themed after the beloved Harry Potter series—fans can expect these and other limited-time collections in the future. Demand has already been soaring, with some shops across Southern California selling out of the Hogwarts-themed doughnuts by 9:30 a.m.
Why This Matters for Franchise Growth
The excitement around the Redlands opening is another clear sign of Krispy Kreme’s enduring brand power. Fans didn’t just stop by on their way to work—they camped out overnight, proving the emotional connection Krispy Kreme continues to create with its communities.
For investors and entrepreneurs, this kind of brand loyalty highlights why Krispy Kreme is one of the most powerful food franchise opportunities in the world. At KrispyKremeDoughnutFranchise.com, we help aspiring franchise owners explore how to bring this same level of excitement to their local markets. From franchise insights to market entry strategies, our goal is to guide you through the journey of joining Krispy Kreme’s global network.