Franchisee takes over south-side Krispy Kreme

A franchisee has taken over operations of the south-side Krispy Kreme Doughnuts restaurant.

Effective Feb. 22, franchisee Mike Parker began running the 3860 S. Campbell Ave. eatery, which had been operated by Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (NYSE: KKD), according to a news release. The property is owned by Jared Enterprises.

Parker - who worked 11 years with Krispy Kreme corporate, the last five as vice president of company store operations - in January formed Ozark Mountain Dough LLC to operate as a Krispy Kreme franchisee. Parker purchased the rights for the Springfield store, as well as locations in Branson and Wichita, Kan. According to KrispyKreme.com, the initial investment to operate a franchise location ranges from $928,000 to $1.9 million.

"Mike has been a valued Krispy Kreme team member since 2002.  His operational expertise and business knowledge will support him as he fulfills a lifelong dream of becoming a Krispy Kreme franchisee," said Cindy Bay, Krispy Kreme senior vice president of U.S. operations and franchising, in the release.

The South Campbell change-up comes a month after the north-side Krispy Kreme restaurant served its last doughnut.

The 720 N. Glenstone Ave. store, which also had been corporate-owned, closed Jan. 27. After the restaurant closed its doors, corporate spokesman Brian Little said the closure was part of Krispy Kreme's "growth strategy and continuing efforts to streamline our U.S. operations."

Krispy Kreme corporate claims 234 shops in the U.S., 145 of which are under franchise agreements, the release said.

The south-side store previously operated under franchisee Jimmy Strickland, who sold the rights back to the corporate entity in early 2003.[[In-content Ad]]