Krispy Kreme has announced the phased reopening of its Dublin store.
The popular donut outlet will reopen its drive-thru in Blanchardstown from 11am on Wednesday, May 20 to provide free products to healthcare workers, gardai and the fire brigade.
Members of these groups will get free hot drinks and a three-pack of original glazed doughnuts.
After a week of this free service, essential workers can then enjoy a 50% discount on the entire menu.
Krispy Kreme will reopen the drive-thru, takeaways and delivery services to the public on Monday, May 25.
The restaurant seating area will remain closed.
A prepacked doughnut menu will be available at the drive-thru and in store for this initial phase of opening "to enable a simpler manufacturing operation and quicker speed of service".
Customers in central Dublin may also be able to access delivery services via Deliveroo and Just Eat.
The firm is pledging to serve 50,000 smiles (or glazed doughnuts) across a weeklong programme of contactless community donations to a wide range of causes including hospital front-line staff; Food Cloud; Garda stations; fire stations, care homes and more.
The company added in a statement: "This is to further recognise the efforts and commitment of front-line workers as well as to support local charities and good causes."
The store will also launch a program on its social media channels asking fans to recommend “unsung heroes” in their communities who will then be rewarded with doughnut/smile vouchers.
Finally, the Krispy Kreme Dublin staff will be challenged to identify and surprise local heroes in their own neighbourhoods with doughnut gifts in recognition of their good deeds.
The Krispy Kreme staff have received COVID-19 reopening training and have come back to work voluntarily, the firm said.
New measures for maximum protection includes, but is not exhaustive to:
Appointment of store COVID-19 officer(s) present at all times
Two metre distancing floor and vertical signage inside and outside of the store
Counter screens to protect staff and customers at the Drive-Thru and at collection points
Staff shifts devised and rotas scheduled to ensure minimum number of staff required
Mandated staff hand-washing at least every 20 minutes and sanitisation stations available for both customers and staff
Face masks introduced as mandatory
Pre-packed offerings only for launch and a more limited range of 8 doughnut varieties
Strict limitations on the number of people allowed in the store for collection at any one time
Contactless payment and collection
Richard Cheshire, CEO of Krispy Kreme UK & Ireland, said: "Over the last number of weeks, together with all relevant stakeholders we have been planning how we can adopt a phased approach to carefully and responsibly serve our customers in Ireland.
"Our priority is always to protect our staff and customers, and we now have in place a number of new health, safety and social distancing measures which align with all the government guidance.
"We are grateful to our dedicated Krispy Kreme colleagues, who volunteered to return to work, and have received training on these new measures.
"We are committed to continuously reviewing the situation in line with the latest Government COVID-19 advice and heath guidelines.
"As the business reopens, it is important for all the team at the store to recognise the tireless efforts of essential workers as well as the local community heroes who have worked so hard during these difficult times to keep us all safe. Through our donation programme we hope to serve 50,000 smiles to heroes across our community.
"We look forward to welcoming our customers back on Monday 25 May.
