The doughnut heavy hitters are competing for turf in the Carolinas. (Crullers will roll!)Krispy Kreme is expanding again, aiming to have 1,300 stores by 2017, up from about 740 locations nowmany internationally, but some in the Carolinas, its home turf. We continue to look for properties in the Carolinas that meet our specifications, company spokesman Brian Little tells us. In addition to new openings, the company is going to remodel some existing locations in the Charlotte metro. One of the main focuses on growth, he adds, will be on smaller, more convenient locations.

Dunkin Donuts isnt going to take Krispy Kreme's expansion lying down. (Guys, no need to fight, there's enough room in our stomachs for both of you.) It too is expanding internationally, but its also eying growth here. Dunkin' Donuts represents a perfect fit for further expansion within North Carolina, DD VP of franchising Grant Benson tells us, including in Charlotte, Greensboro, Wilmington Raleigh-Durham, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Demand for the brand, at both the consumer and franchisee level, is at an all-time high, he says.To attract new franchisees, Dunkin' has decided to provide several incentives, such as lower royalty fees for the next three years and an additional $10k for marketing expenses.