Doughnut sales jump during Krispy Kreme car meet in Burbank
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Burbank reported a 30% spike in sales Tuesday when compared to the same day last year, after more than 3,000 people flooded the Empire Center parking lot for a “flash mob” car meet organized through social media.
The event, which the organizer dubbed the “Krispy Kreme” car meet, is not affiliated with the doughnut chain. Even so, store executives reported that it’s good for business.
“We love it,” said Wendy Glickman, vice president of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Southern California, adding that the store prepared for the crowds with extra staff and extra doughnuts. “People had a good time.”
Car enthusiasts began arriving from out of town as early as 3 p.m. to peruse a wide variety of cars, including customized muscle cars and vintage vehicles.
“Events on this scale are pretty rare,” said Alhambra resident Danny Meijer, 35. “You have to go to a car show, pay $20 to get into an event where you see cars of this caliber.”
By mid-evening, police had closed the parking lot to cars, shut down surrounding streets because of traffic congestion and warned motorists to avoid the area. The crowd dispersed around 11 p.m., said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.
The event organizer, a Burbank native who declined to be identified, said Tuesday’s “Krispy Kreme” meet would be the last of its kind.
Two arrests were reported during the night, though further details on the arrests were not immediately available.
-- Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com
Follow on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.
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