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Krispy Kreme chief growth officer Matthew Spanjers to leave companyKrispy Kreme chief growth officer Matthew Spanjers to leave company

Spanjers will depart Dec. 31 of this year, according to an SEC filing

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

November 13, 2024

1 Min Read
Krispy Kreme Times Square exterior with sign
Krispy Kreme will be on the lookout for a new chief growth officer.Krispy Kreme

Joanna Fantozzi

Krispy Kreme chief growth officer and president, international, Matthew Spanjers, is leaving the company, according to an 8-K form filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Spanjers informed the Charlotte, N.C.-based doughnut brand on Nov. 7 that he will be leaving the company effective Dec. 31.

“We are grateful for Matt’s leadership, impact and commitment to our global fresh doughnut business, his many significant contributions, and his partnership through this transition," Krispy Kreme said in a statement. 

Spanjers has been a driving force behind Krispy Kreme’s expansion strategy through its “DFD” (Delivered Fresh Daily) partnerships with retailers like McDonald’s, Target, Walmart, Costco, and more, as the company has made the shift over the past few years from Hot Light stores to largely DFD channels.

During Krispy Kreme’s recent third-quarter earnings call, the company said it expects to expand to nearly 2,000 McDonald’s restaurants to sell doughnuts by the end of 2024, with a national rollout planned for 2026. Krispy Kreme is also testing third-party delivery options for its DFD business, which has already been rolled out in international markets.

Krispy Kreme did not respond to requests for comment by press time on who might be replacing Spanjers as chief growth officer and president, international.

Related:Krispy Kreme explores third-party delivery to grow DFD channel

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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