Krispy Kreme Rethinks ‘KKK’ Promotion In The UK

(Facebook)

The corporate office for Krispy Kreme in the UK drew up a calendar of fun activities for the chain to offer to kids during their midterm break from school. Activities include coloring, face painting, board games, and KKK Wednesday. Wait, what? That stands for “Krispy Kreme Klub,” not “Ku Klux Klan,” but the promotion has been pulled anyway.

Maybe no one would have noticed the double meaning of the acronym had the schedule of events not been posted to Facebook. There, everyone could laugh at an international doughnut shop headquartered in the American South naming a weekday promotion after a notorious group that has historically fought progress and equality for racial, ethnic, and religious minorities. If you know that context, the simple label of “KKK Day” with no explanation of what that includes is baffling.

The “Krispy Kreme Klub” is actually a day for kids to gather at the shop and decorate their own doughnuts. That sounds very fun, and not at all racist.

In a statement to media, Krispy Kreme’s branch in Hull, where this was one of many activities scheduled for the school break, explained that this was not intentional, and that the KKK Day signs have been removed.

This was sent from head office so it has been advertised at all the outlets.

But we have now taken down the sign from our point of sale.

We don’t have a new name for the event yet but it is still going ahead this week.

“Decorate Delicious Donuts Day”? How about that? Just leave your pointy hoods at home, please.

Krispy Kreme Hull drops ‘KKK Wednesdays’ name over Ku Klux Klan blunder

by Laura Northrup via Consumerist