He’s the doughnut brand’s newest franchisee, spokesperson.
Retired NBA player Shaquille O’Neal (Shaq) has purchased the iconic Krispy Kreme on Ponce, according to a statement Monday.
The Basketball Hall-of-Famer, a longtime fan of the doughnut brand, will also become the doughnut brand’s “Global Spokesperson.”
“In addition to Shaquille’s status as a sports and entertainment icon and businessman, he is known for spreading joy, which aligns with our positioning and mission,” Tony Thompson, Krispy Kreme President and CEO said in the announcement. “We are confident this partnership will have a big impact for us in Atlanta and around the world.”
The Krispy Kreme in Midtown, at 295 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, opened more than 60 years ago.
“Krispy Kreme prides itself on spreading joy and supporting local communities, and that’s a cause that I am thrilled to be a part of,” O’Neal said. “Our goal is to help people find their happy place, and what better way than with a box of delicious Krispy Kreme doughnuts.”
O’Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last month after 19 years in the NBA.
To celebrate O’Neal joining the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts family, the brand today announced a “Shaq-or-Treat” social media promotion for Halloween – one of O’Neal’s favorite days. Krispy Kreme fans who tag their Halloween social media posts with #ShaqOrTreat between Oct. 28 and 31 will be eligible to win Shaq-autographed prizes or “Krispy Kreme surprises.”
2 Responses
Was it a corporate store? Or owned by a franchisee? Purchase price? That land is valuable.
I am happy Shaq bought it I love Krispy Kreme. Up north they closed some down so I with be getting doughnuts.