The Sweet Taste Of Globalization: Krispy Kreme's Presence In Kabul, Afghanistan

Krispy Kreme is an international doughnut company with stores in 29 countries, primarily in Asia and the Middle East. While the company has stores in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, there is no evidence to suggest that they have any stores in Kabul, Afghanistan. In fact, the company has faced challenges in expanding beyond its core markets, and there are concerns about its ability to manage rapid growth.

Krispy Kreme doughnuts are available at US military bases in Afghanistan

The bakery supplies more than 200 American-branded products, made from scratch daily, to authorized shoppers at military bases throughout Europe, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Each product is identical to those sold to retail customers. Krispy Kreme's presence at US military bases in Afghanistan is part of its expansion into 29 countries, primarily in Asia and the Middle East, with a growing presence in the Caribbean and South America.

The company has stated a goal of having more than 900 international shops by the end of fiscal 2017. As of August 3, 2016, Krispy Kreme had 1,045 shops worldwide, including 758 international shops. To achieve its goal, the company plans to open between 95 and 110 new international franchise shops in fiscal 2016.

Krispy Kreme's partnership with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service allows it to provide a taste of home to US troops and their families stationed overseas. This initiative is in line with the Exchange's mission to improve the quality of life for soldiers, airmen, and their families through goods and services.

A church group in Orangeburg sent Krispy Kreme doughnuts to a soldier in Afghanistan

A church group in Orangeburg, South Carolina, sprang into action when they heard that a soldier in Afghanistan was craving Krispy Kreme doughnuts. "He said, 'I would just kill for a Krispy Kreme doughnut," recalled First Presbyterian Church member 'Geb' Runager, who mentioned the soldier's request to his Bible study group. The soldier, Christopher Lewis, had confided in his father, Harry Lewis, also a member of the Bible group, that he would do just about "anything" for a Krispy Kreme treat.

And so, "Operation Doughnut" was born. The church group initially faced setbacks, as shipping officials estimated it could take up to three weeks to get the delicate cargo to Afghanistan, and military cargo planes were not an option. But a local U.S. Postal Service official stepped in to help, instructing the church group to individually wrap each doughnut in a plastic bag and pack plenty of package popcorn. The USPS could deliver the doughnuts in just two to three days.

The church group then made a quick trip to a Midlands Krispy Kreme shop, where the manager donated all the doughnuts upon hearing of their mission. The carefully wrapped treats were then taken to Brenda Sutcliffe, postmaster of the Cordova Post Office, to be shipped off to Afghanistan. Thanks to the combined efforts of the church group and the USPS, Lewis' "fire order" for Krispy Kreme doughnuts was successfully completed.

An Afghan girl who moved to the US spoke about her journey From Kabul to Krispy Kreme

An Afghan girl who moved to the US has spoken about her journey from Kabul to Krispy Kreme. The ninth grader at George School shared her story with the adult class at the Newtown Quaker Meetinghouse, inviting the public to hear about her experiences.

The student, who has been described as having "terrific grades" by her "American Mom", detailed her family's roots in Afghanistan and their subsequent move to Pakistan as refugees. She, her two sisters, and brother were raised by their mother, a tailor, after their father passed away in a building collapse over a decade ago.

While attending primary school in her hometown of Jalalabad, the young girl was connected with the School of Leadership Afghanistan (SOLA). Despite speaking Pashto and Urdu, she barely knew any English. Nonetheless, she enrolled in an intensive SOLA program in Kabul, preparing her for her future studies abroad.

In September 2014, she arrived in the USA and lived with Renee Noel and Wayne Heacock, members of the Newtown Friends Meeting, and their two daughters, while attending eighth grade at Newtown Friends School. She described her time at the school as "rewarding and difficult", acknowledging the support of her teachers and the warmth of her host family.

She is now a boarding student at George School, where she has been awarded a scholarship. She is taking piano lessons, loving her ceramics class, and playing sports. She has made friends from various countries and is working hard on her English composition and math.

Krispy Kreme has stores in 29 countries, including the UK, Japan, and Australia

Krispy Kreme is an American multinational doughnut company and coffeehouse chain that has stores in 29 countries, including the UK, Japan, and Australia.

The company was founded by Vernon Rudolph in 1937 and has since expanded globally, with its unique network of fresh doughnut shops, partnerships with leading retailers, and a rapidly growing e-commerce and delivery business.

The first international franchise was opened in Australia in 2003, with the first store located in Penrith, New South Wales. Krispy Kreme gave away 300,000 free doughnuts to create publicity for the opening, and the business quickly expanded to over 40 stores by 2010. In December 2010, the company emerged from voluntary administration and continued trading with fewer stores in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. The chain began expanding again in 2014, with a new store opening in Western Australia. As of 2024, there are 15 Krispy Kreme stores in New South Wales and eight in Queensland.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Japan opened its first store in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, in December 2006. The store has seen hour-long waits to get in, and in the first three days, it saw more than 10,000 customers. The second store in Japan opened in the Yurakucho ITOCiA complex in the Yūrakuchō district in Tokyo in October 2007. As of September 2016, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Japan operates 45 shops throughout the country.

Krispy Kreme UK opened its first store at the Harrods department store in London in October 2003. This store closed in June 2011, but as of 2018, there are over 100 standalone Krispy Kreme stores in the UK, and a presence in 500 Tesco stores.

In addition to these countries, Krispy Kreme has a presence in several other regions, including North America, South America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The company continues to expand and diversify its operations, bringing its iconic Original Glazed Doughnut to fans worldwide.

The company plans to expand to more countries, including Colombia

Krispy Kreme is a company with a global presence, primarily in Asia and the Middle East, but it also has an expanding presence in the Caribbean and South America. In 2013, Krispy Kreme announced its expansion into Colombia, marking its first foray into South America. The company planned to open 25 stores in Colombia's major cities, including Bogotá, Medellin, and Barranquilla, within five years. This expansion was to be managed jointly with Bogotá-based IRCC Ltda., a subsidiary of the VA! Group.

However, in 2018, just four years after its arrival in Colombia, Krispy Kreme unexpectedly announced its departure from the country. The company's decision to close its nine points of sale was attributed to a strategic shift in focusing on its own brands. Despite initial success and popularity among consumers, Krispy Kreme faced challenges in the Colombian market due to strong competition from established brands such as Dunkin' Donuts and Donut Factory.

The company's expansion plans extend beyond Colombia, as evidenced by its presence in 29 countries worldwide. Krispy Kreme has a strong presence in Asia, with a significant number of stores in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. The company has also established a foothold in the Middle East, with outlets in Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, Krispy Kreme has expanded into Europe, with shops in the United Kingdom, Turkey, and France.

Krispy Kreme's global strategy involves a mix of company-owned shops and franchise partnerships. For instance, in Japan, the company plans to open around 50 franchise-owned stores in the Kantō region. On the other hand, Krispy Kreme's Canadian operations are managed by the franchisee Krispy K Canada of Toronto, Ontario. The company's expansion plans are carefully considered, taking into account market conditions and local preferences to ensure sustainable growth.

Frequently asked questions