CHARLOTTE, NC. — Krispy Kreme Inc. has nominated Bernardo Hees, former chief executive officer of Kraft Heinz Co., and Patrick Grismer, chairman of Panera Brands Inc., among a new slate of directors for its board.

Hees, Grismer and two other nominees — Easwaran Sundaram, former chief digital and technology officer of JetBlue, and Gordon von Bretten, senior partner at JAB Holding Co., parent of Krispy Kreme and Panera — will stand for election to the Krispy Kreme board on June 17 at the company’s annual meeting. Plans call for Hees to chair a strategy and operating committee to be formed after the meeting, according to Krispy Kreme.

Currently, Hees is operating partner at The Cranemere Group, a New York-based diversified holding company. His background includes top executive posts and a track record of leading global, consumer-facing businesses through transformative growth, Krispy Kreme noted.

Bernardo Hees.

| Photo: The Kraft Heinz Co.

From 2015 until June 2019, Hees was CEO of Kraft Heinz, after serving as CEO of HJ Heinz Holding Corp. since 2013. From 2010 to 2013, he led Burger King Worldwide Holdings Inc. as CEO, and from 2005 to 2010 he was CEO of América Latina Logística, a Brazilian logistics company. Hees also currently serves as a director on the boards of Bunge Ltd. and Avis Budget Group, where he previously was executive chairman from 2020 to May 2024.

“Welcoming Bernardo to our board at a pivotal time for Krispy Kreme will be invaluable as we seek to maximize shareholder value through our two largest growth opportunities: profitable US expansion and capital-light international growth,” said Josh Charlesworth, CEO of Krispy Kreme. “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.”

Krispy Kreme said Hees has personally invested in the company’s common stock, “reinforcing his confidence in Krispy Kreme’s strategy and profitable growth opportunities.”

“Krispy Kreme is one of the world’s most iconic and beloved brands,” Hees said. “I look forward to working with Josh, the management team and fellow directors to drive disciplined global expansion, refranchising efforts and operational efficiency that results in sustainable value creation.”

Grismer, board chair of Panera Brands since November 2024, is slated to join the Krispy Kreme board’s audit and finance committee once elected as an independent director. Krispy Kreme said Grismer brings more than 35 years of financial executive experience, including serving as chief financial officer at Starbucks from 2018 to 2021, Hyatt Hotels from 2016 to 2018, and at Yum! Brands, where he spent nearly 14 years in various financial leadership roles, including CFO from 2012 to 2016.

Patrick Grismer.

| Photo: Business Wire

Meanwhile, independent director nominee Sundaram brings over 25 years of technology, transformation and supply chain experience. Founder of JetBlue Technology Ventures and onetime JetBlue digital and tech chief, he also previously was senior vice president of global supply chain and global chief information officer for Pall Corp. Bretten, a director nominee, joined JAB Holding in April 2024 and previously spent four years as chief transformation officer of Coty Inc., where he currently sits on the board.

Standing for re-election at Krispy Kreme’s annual meeting will be current directors Charlesworth, former Chipotle Mexican Grill executive Marissa Andrada, former Bloomin’ Brands CEO David Deno, former Mondelez International executive Gerhard Pleuhs and JAB partner Patricia Capel.

The company said former Mars Inc. executives Paul Michaels (CEO from 2004 to 2015) and Philip Telfer; former Panera Bread COO Debbie Roberts; JAB’s Olivier Goudet and David Bell; and Novartis executive Michelle Weese weren’t nominated for re-election.

“On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank our outgoing directors for their guidance and partnership,” Charlesworth said. “Their counsel was critical as we evolved our model, expanded globally and delivered consistent organic growth.”