Bernardo Hees will chair the US coffee and doughnut chain’s proposed new Strategy and Operating Committee, while Patrick Grismer adds strong financial acumen to its Audit and Finance Committee
Krispy Kreme has nominated four new members to its Board of Directors and announced plans to establish a new executive committee to improve group-wide operational efficiency, secure master franchise agreements and grow in the US.
In a press release, the JAB Holding Company-backed coffee and doughnut chain announced that former Kraft Heinz Company CEO Bernardo Hees and ex-Starbucks Chief Financial Officer Patrick Grismer will join the Board, pending approval by shareholders at its Annual Meeting in June 2025.
Hees, who has also held CEO roles at fast-food giant Burger King and Brazilian logistics firm América Latina Logística, will serve as Director and head Krispy Kreme’s proposed new Strategy and Operating Committee, which will support the chain’s US growth and expansion to new European and South American markets.
Hees has also invested in Krispy Kreme’s common stock, which the company said demonstrates his confidence in its strategy and profitable growth opportunities.
“Welcoming Bernardo to our Board at a pivotal time for Krispy Kreme will be invaluable as we seek to maximise shareholder value through our two largest growth opportunities: profitable US expansion and capital-light international growth. Establishing a Strategy and Operating Committee that leverages Bernardo’s experience will support me and my team as we strive to drive operational and financial success,” said Josh Charlesworth, CEO, Krispy Kreme.
Grismer, who also serves as Chairman at fellow JAB Holding food-to-go chain Panera Bread, will become an Independent Director and member of Krispy Kreme’s Audit and Finance Committee. His senior financial experience also includes Chief Financial Officer roles at Hyatt Hotels and YUM! Brands.
Former JetBlue Chief Digital and Technology Officer Easwaran Sundaram and JAB Holding Senior Partner Gordon von Bretten will also join the Board of Directors.
The five members who have been reelected are Charlesworth, former Chipotle Chief Human Resources Officer Marissa Andrada, JAB Senior Partner Patricia Capel, former Quiznos Chief Operating Officer David Deno, and former Mondelez International General Counsel Gerhard Pleuhs.
The Board reshuffle comes four months after Krispy Kreme named new senior leadership for its Chief Operating Officer, Chief Growth Officer, President of International and Chief Product Officer roles.
Founded in North Carolina in 1937, Krispy Kreme operates 2,000 stores and a further 15,500 points of access – retail channels where its products can be purchased – across 40 markets globally.
In February 2025, the coffee and doughnut chain announced plans to secure master franchising partnerships across seven international operations to refocus efforts on US expansion. Alongside its US business, Krispy Kreme currently fully owns its operations in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico and Canada.
