Maine’s first Krispy Kreme will open at 6 a.m. on Sept. 19 in Saco.

Or at least that’s what the owner of the famously adored doughnut shop, at 520 Main St., is hoping.

“The opening is slated” for that day, said Cort Mendez, a New Hampshire businessman who is opening three Krispy Kremes in Maine and four in New Hampshire, “and I stress that word because it’s under construction, so we’re trying our best to open up on Sept. 19.”

Krispy Kreme is a Southeastern chain with a cult following.

In other parts of the country, fans hunt for the Krispy Kreme “hot sign” along the highway.

When it’s lit, it means hot doughnuts are ready to eat, at 190 calories each.

The Saco store’s grand opening will begin on Sept. 18 with a DJ, prizes for the first 50 to 100 people in line, and will be followed by a week of T-shirt giveaways.

On Saturday, a magician will perform.

Mendez said he plans to hire 60 people in Saco, half for full-time jobs.

The pay ranges from $10 to $12 an hour, and the company offers benefits such as college tuition reimbursement and a management training program for all employees.

Full-time employees will get dental and health insurance.

“We’re really trying to hire a professional staff, and we’re looking to make sure we produce the kind of doughnuts that people are accustomed to when they go to other states that have Krispy Kremes,” Mendez said.

“We know there’s a fairly high expectation for us to deliver, and we’re going to do everything we can to do it the right way.”

The second Krispy Kreme in Maine will be located at 410 Center St. in Auburn, and construction at that site begins next week, Mendez said.

The Auburn location should open in November, he said.

The Saco location is a former Burger King that’s been gutted and renovated.

The Auburn Krispy Kreme will be the anchor tenant in a new plaza.

As for the third Maine location, Mendez said, “I’m in talks for a Bangor location, a Windham location.

There’s been discussion about possibly going up as high as Presque Isle.

That’s a big maybe, but that might be an interesting place to be.

The challenge would just be managing it – going so far.”

Meredith Goad can be contacted at 791-6332 or at:

mgoad@pressherald.com

Twitter: MeredithGoad