Krispy Kreme CEO responds to backlash over free doughnuts for vaccinated customers

‘If folks don’t want to visit a donut shop, they don’t have to,’ says CEO

(Getty Images)

Krispy Kreme has responded after it came under fire for offering free doughnuts to vaccinated customers.

The confectionary chain announced its offer last week, explaining that customers in the US who have received at least one of two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines - or the one jab that is needed for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine - simply need to show their vaccination card to staff at one of its nationwide locations before the end of 2021 in order to qualify for the deal.

However, the offer has been criticised on social media, with people pointing out the doughnuts’ high calorie count and noting how obesity is an increasingly concerning issue in the US.

The US TV show host Stephen Colbert, tweeted: “Krispy Kreme is offering free donuts to anyone who’s been vaccinated. Which is great news for anyone who got the shot but still has a death wish.”

Colbert’s tweet garnered more than 49,000 likes and thousands of comments from people expressing similar concerns.

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However, many people disagreed with Colbert, arguing that, if the initiative encourages more people to get vaccinated, that is ultimately a good thing.

“If this is what motivates more people to go get vaccinated, I’m all for it,” commented one person.

Another added: “Oh, come on. We’ve been in lockdown for a year and change, our kids have been going stir crazy, people are unemployed and broke. We’re entitled to a donut or two (or even a dozen). It’s fine.”

Now, Krispy Kreme has weighed in on the backlash, with  CEO Mike Tattersfield telling Yahoo!: “We’re a sweet treat company, [and] if folks don’t want to visit a donut shop, they don’t have to.”

He continued: “[If] folks that want to get a vaccine, if they decide to combine a Krispy Kreme pickup [for] a doughnut, they can. That’s how we look at it... generosity.”

“I drop off a lot of doughnuts to the healthcare system. They’re very appreciative, given the days that they have to work...people are always looking for a little sweet treat break. It’s okay,” he added.