Global by Design

While Krispy Kreme continues its seemingly slow migration across the US (Boston only recently saw its first location), it is aggressively expanding outside the US. It already has stores in Australia, the UK and Canada, and recently opened a store in Mexico City (the company plans to open 20 stores in Mexico over the next six years).

It has even localized its Web site for the new markets:

Next Stop: Japan

According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), the company is in negotiations with a potential Japanese partner. No doubt the company has witnessed the success that Starbucks has enjoyed in Asia. According to the article, Japan “is the largest market outside the U.S. for McDonald’s Corp. and coffee chain Starbucks Corp. But others, such as Burger King Corp., failed to attract Japanese consumers.”

• Starbucks “Coffee in a Can” in Japan and Taiwan
• Starbucks in Russia
• Global Brands Don’t Always Start Out That Way
• The World’s Number One Starbucks Fan
• Starbucks in Strange Lands