The allure of sugary fried dough knows no geographic bounds. That’s the starting point for our Geo Quiz. Many cultures have their own versions of fried dough. But what we’re talking about in this quiz is the growing international popularity of good ol’ American-style doughnuts. US companies haven’t had any trouble finding costumers overseas.
For instance, North Carolina-based Krispy Kreme has branches in 21 countries – from Australia and the Philippines to Britain and Turkey. What we want you to tell us is, what nation just got its very first Krispy Kreme store? It’s an Asian country. And the head of state is a king who’s been on the throne since 1946…
…and the newest country with a Krispy Kreme franchise is Thailand. The store’s opening created quite a stir in Bangkok. Reporter Lisa Napoli went to see what the fuss was about.
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LISA MULLINS: The allure of sugar infused fried dough knows no geographic bounds. And that’s the starting point for today’s Geo Quiz. Now, many cultures have their own versions of fried dough, but what we’re talking about in this quiz is the growing international popularity of good ol’ American-style donuts. US donut makers haven’t had any trouble finding costumers overseas. For instance, North Carolina-based Krispy Kreme has branches in 21 countries, from Australia and the Philippines to Britain, to Turkey. What we want you to tell us is, what nation just got its very first Krispy Kreme store? It’s an Asian country. And as a clue, the head of state here is a king who’s been on the throne since 1946. You’ve got just a few seconds to come up with the answer to this one. That’s a little more than just a few. The newest country to have a Krispy Kreme franchise is Thailand. The store’s opening created quite a stir in Bangkok. Reporter Lisa Napoli went to see what all the fuss was about.
LISA NAPOLI: The Siam Paragon mall in the center of Bangkok’s business district is a bustling monument to Western capitalism. Four million square feet of luxury goods, from Jimmy Choo to Lamborghini. On this rainy Friday afternoon, it’s also a testament to the Thai love of sweets, and all things American. Despite the weather, hundreds are lined up at Thailand’s very first Krispy Kreme Donut Shop. The line stretches out into the street. You look surprised about the line.
MALE SPEAKER: Yeah.
NAPOLI: You didn’t hear about how long it was?
MALE SPEAKER: No, we heard it before.
NAPOLI: You did. But you came anyway?
FEMALE SPEAKER: We want to eat it.
NAPOLI: What have you heard about it?
FEMALE SPEAKER: We think it’s good.
MALE SPEAKER: It’s from the US.
NAPOLI: So, just because it’s famous in the US?
MALE SPEAKER: Yes.
NAPOLI: Since this store opened last month, thousands of people have been waiting for up to five hours for the chance to sample the sugary treats. Today because of the rain the wait’s a bit shorter. So Thai people like sweet things?
FEMALE SPEAKER: Yeah, too much.
NAPOLI: How long have you been waiting so far?
FEMALE SPEAKER: Two hours.
NAPOLI: Two hours?
FEMALE SPEAKER: Yes.
NAPOLI: And they’re paying three times what they’d pay for a donut at any other shop here. Most people walk away clutching boxes filled with the limit per customer, two dozen. How much were they?
MALE SPEAKER: Four hundred seventy-nine baht.
NAPOLI: That’s about 16 bucks. The mania for the pricy treat, especially with other American fast food available right here in this food court, doesn’t make sense to one ex-pat living here.
MALE SPEAKER: I simply don’t understand it.
NAPOLI: But this guy, who’s waiting for his donut-crazy friend, thinks he understands why Bangkok’s lining up.
MALE SPEAKER: I think it’s because of the mass marketing.
NAPOLI: Weeks before Krispy Kreme even debuted in Thailand, franchise owners gave away tens of thousands of freebies, and waged an online social media campaign. Twenty more stores are planned here over the next five years. For the World, I’m Lisa Napoli in Bangkok.
MULLINS: You can see Lisa’s video of the long line outside that Krispy Kreme in Bangkok, Thailand. It’s at TheWorld.org.
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