Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Mar. 18, 2016	Aug. 02, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Registrant Name	KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001100270
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		63,184,525
Entity Public Float			$ 1,152,000,000
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	KKD