If you become a weekly visitor to a shop, count on 10+ extra kilos within a year. Pete 
Krispy Kreme heading for Thailand
Published: 2/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Business
Krispy Kreme, the popular US doughnut chain, plans to enter Thailand next year through a venture run by Ausanee Mahagitsiri, the eldest daughter of industrialist Prayudh Mahagitsiri.
‘‘Thai people are very fond of sweets,’’ says Ms Ausanee, who believes Krispy Kreme will be well received.
KDN Co Ltd, wholly owned by Ms Ausanee, signed a five-year agreement with Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation last week to develop 20 franchised Krispy Kreme outlets in Thailand. Shop sizes will be between 100 and 300 square metres.
Ms Ausanee and her family also control the PM Group, one of Thailand's largest conglomerates with businesses that range from cold-rolled stainless steel and polypropylene film to golf courses, resorts, real estate development and instant coffee.
Her father has been dubbed the "coffee king" for his success in working with Nestle' to build the market for Nescafe' instant coffee in Thailand.
Ms Ausanee said she decided to open a Krispy Kreme franchise because she was a big fan of the brand while abroad.
"When I studied in Boston, I used to drive four hours to New York in order to eat Krispy Kreme doughnuts," she recalled.
"I was not disappointed with the taste when I arrived. It is really delicious. After returning to Thailand, I still miss it and always ask my husband to buy some from the Philippines."
Krispy Kreme president Jeff Welch said that KDN's "true passion for the Krispy Kreme brand", understanding of Thai consumers, and years of successful business experience in a variety of industries, would make it a string franchise partner.
Krispy Kreme, founded in the United States in 1937, now has franchises in 18 countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.
