(WINSTON-SALEM) -- A sweet treat born in North Carolina is celebrating a major milestone on Friday.  Krispy Kreme turned 75 years old on Friday.

Company spokesman Dwayne Chambers said they were expecting big crowds for their buy a dozen, get the second for 75-cents promotion.

"It's crazy what people will do when you give them another excuse to buy a doughnut and it just kind of shows the passion people have for the brand still after 75 years," said Chambers.

On July 13, 1937 Vernon Rudolph, the company founder, began making doughnuts in a warehouse in what was then called Salem, North Carolina. He first sold them to local grocery stores.

Over the years an excuse to buy some Krispy Kreme doughnuts has usually been easy to find. "People reward themselves when they've had a great week or a bad week.  I talked to a young lady who made the comment that she'd come in a celebrate with Krispy Kreme when she had a new boyfriend or when here boyfriend broke up with her," added Chambers.

Special activities are planned this weekend in Krispy Kreme's hometown. On Saturday there is a daylong "Family FanFest" on Main Street that will feature a carnival atmosphere on the historic Salem square. Saturday morning at 10, a permanent marker was placed on the original Krispy Kreme bakery.

The company has come a long way over the last 75 years.  Today Krispy Kreme has more than 700 doughnut shops in 21 countries.