In the area of glorious, calorie-ridden, sugar-fueled donut news, Krispy Kreme will be coming to Myanmar.
The American donut company announced plans for a Southeast Asian expansion in August, aiming to set up 10 shops in Myanmar over the next five years, reports the Winston-Salem Journal. Krispy Kreme's Burmese outlets will be overseen by the aptly named Singaporean outfit Doughnuts Group Pte.
“With a growing economy and a population eager to welcome global brands, the time is right for Krispy Kreme to bring its sweet treats to Myanmar,” Dan Beem, Krispy Kreme’s international division president, told the Winston-Salem Journal.
This makes Myanmar the 12th Asian nation to receive these heavily glazed rings of fried dough. Across the continent, Krispy Kreme has shops or commitments to shops in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Notice how Vietnam isn't in there? So did we.
For Myanmar, whose development has hit hyperspeed in the past few years, Krispy Kreme's presence points to the growing number of international companies that are finding value in its economy.
“This is an opportune time for Krispy Kreme to be one of the first western brands in the country,” Pote Narittakurn, owner of Doughnut Group Pte, told the Winston-Salem Journal.
Like some other western enterprises, Krispy Kreme has set its sights on the international market in recent years. The company currently operates in 27 countries worldwide and celebrated its 1,000-shop milestone in February of this year. Of those 1,000 outlets, 700 were based outside of the United States.
Moving forward, Krispy Kreme hopes to open another 95 to 110 international shops in 2016, with the possibility of making their grand, sugar-coated debut in up to six countries. No specifics have been given yet regarding which countries will receive a piece of hot, glazed donut heaven, but we're more than happy to volunteer.
