Preview Party at Krispy Kreme NZ

In case you didn’t know, Krispy Kreme is opening its first store in Auckland next Wednesday, February 28th. I was lucky to get to attend the preview VIP party yesterday, and I couldn’t have been more excited. I’ve been a fan of Krispy Kreme doughnuts for years now, ever since I had my first bite of one many years ago when I first visited the USA. I also ate them when I visited Melbourne & Sydney, and wondered why New Zealand didn’t have them but Australia did. Well it’s officially happening Aucklanders! 

I spent a fun and informative two hours at the preview event, and got to do a range of things, including going behind the scenes. Upon arrival we had the choice of a milkshake or coffee. Of course, I took the milkshake. (Well, ok, I ended up getting two). I started with a classic strawberry milkshake, which was divine, then I got one of the new Kreme Shakes, known as ‘The Doughnut you Can Drink’. I got the choc honeycomb, which was topped with Crunchie bar pieces and was absoultely delicious.

After drinks, we went into the factory and were shown how the chocolate is applied to the doughnuts. After the demonstration, we were able to try it for ourselves, which was great. It took some self-restraint to put the now-iced doughnut back on the tray and not stuff it in my mouth.

Then, it was off to the doughnut assembly line. We got to see the frying process, and the glazing, which looks so hypnotic. I could seriously watch that glaze machine for hours.

Then I heard music to my ears: we were all offered a piping hot doughnut, fresh off the conveyer belt! To say it was amazing is a total understatement. Crispy and hot, it melted in the mouth. Total doughnut heaven. To finish off a fantastic day, we got to decorate doughnuts to take home. Just look at the candy bar! 

I spoke with Krispy Kreme Australia & New Zealand CEO, Andrew McGuigan about the new store. Location scouting began in 2015, and took a while as Andrew knew that the site had to be large enough to accommodate both a dining room and a factory. The site on Ronwood Ave was chosen as it covers 700 square meters, and now houses a 70-seat dining room. Customers can watch the doughnuts being made through the viewing window to the left of the store.

The new factory will be able to produce 360 dozen doughnuts (that’s 4320) every hour. Mr McGuigan said the freshness of the doughnuts is an integral part of the business. The doughnuts are made fresh every day and any that are left over at the end of the day will either go home with staff or be discarded. They try to minimise waste as much as possible. 

Krispy Kreme was founded in 1937 in North Carolina, and New Zealand is the 35th country to open a Krispy Kreme. More locations around the city are possible in the future. The Ronwood Ave location will also feature a 24 hour drive-thru, so you can get your doughnut fix at any time of the day. 

The grand opening is set for the 28th of February, at 8am. The entire day will feature entertainment, fun & giveaways. Be the first person in the queue to win a year’s worth of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The second person in the queue will win a 6 months supply of doughnuts, and the third will win a 3 months supply of doughnuts. The first 100 people in the queue will receive a limited edition t-shirt and one dozen doughnuts. Plus, everyone who visits on the day of opening will receive a free original glaze doughnut. Thank you for having me, Krispy Kreme! 

Krispy Kreme: 3 Ronwood Avenue Manukau, AKL 2104 (opposite Westfield).