Doughnut maker and retailer Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has announced that the US attorney’s office for the southern district of New York has advised the company that it will seek to conduct interviews of certain current and former officers and employees.
“The company believes that this investigation relates to the matters currently under formal investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission,” it said. “The Company intends to cooperate with the US attorney’s office.”
In October Krispy Kreme said it had been notified that the US Securities and Exchange Commission had entered a formal order of investigation concerning the company. At the end of July the company had revealed that the SEC was conducting an informal, non-public inquiry regarding the company.
Krispy Kreme said the inquiry generally concerned the company’s franchise reacquisitions and its previously announced reduction in earnings guidance.
The doughnut company said at the time that it was fully cooperating with the SEC in response to its request for information.
“Krispy Kreme has no higher priority than the confidence of our shareholders, customers and employees. While we are confident in our practices, we understand and respect the SEC’s responsibilities and will continue to cooperate fully throughout this process,” chairman, president and CEO Scott Livengood said in July.
