Krispy Kreme opens fourth location just in time for Easter

Krispy Kreme has opened its fourth location in Jamaica at the Portmore Mall in St Catherine, adding to its three other locations in Manor Park, at the intersection of Waterloo Road and Hope Road and West Parade.

According to Nadia Kiffin Green, head of sales and marketing, Restaurant Associates Limited (RAL), there were many requests from customers for the Krispy Kreme franchise to be opened in their area. “This is our first location outside of Kingston. We are very happy to be in the Sunshine City, because we know that Krispy Kreme is the sweet treat that everybody loves and enjoys and we wanted to ensure that it was never too far away from the fingertips of our loyal consumers,” Kiffin Green said.

There are plans to open other locations islandwide, including locations in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. “As soon as you see that bow tie Krispy Kreme sign go up, then you know that we have arrived. We are not just going to be in Kingston, not just in Portmore, we are looking at all of our parishes and it’s just a matter of which one is coming first. It’s not if, it’s when,” Kiffin Green said.

At the Portmore location, there will be a limited time offer, a unique doughnut collection, called the Easter Collection, that features an Easter Bunny, with a strawberry pudding filling.

“We also have our Easter Chick, a bright yellow doughnut, when the children see it, they become excited. We also had a wonderful lemon filling with our Independence doughnuts last year, and that was a real hit, and we decided to bring it back. We also have what we call our Candy Egg, and this is a favourite of all the children. It’s a bright blue doughnut and it has creme filling,” Kiffin Green said.

Ale Anaya, franchise business manager, Latin America, Africa and Europe, said with less than one year since the Kingston location was opened, the team has done a great job in the few months of operating.

“Our goal is to be the sweet treat brand in every country. We know that Jamaica deserves that sweet treat. Or goal as a brand is to be accessible to everyone. It doesn’t matter where you live or where you are from; our doughnut is a place of happiness and joy,” Anaya said.

“We have been operating for over 87 years. The unique thing is that our brand brings families together. It’s about buying a dozen doughnuts and sharing it with your family and friends,” Anaya added.

Rafael Moraga, regional operations director, RAL, said Portmore is a very important area in Jamaica for the franchise expansion. “We want to be closer to our customers. At RAL, we have other businesses here, so we want to come closer to our community. Krispy Kreme is a family business and the customers are our family. We have Burger King, Popeyes, Little Caesars and now Krispy Kreme,” Moraga said.

Customer Timika Young was quite excited with the Portmore location. “It’s a nice addition to the area. Instead of driving all the way into Kingston, we are excited that this location is now opened here in Portmore,” she said.

Meanwhile, Aundre Reid, another happy customer, said on his travels overseas, he has had the Krispy Kreme experience. “I travel a lot, and I am happy that the franchise is here in Portmore. I can finally get this awesome taste and experience right here instead of going into Kingston,” Reid said.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com