WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp. has signed development agreements with its Japanese franchisee, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Japan Co., Ltd., under which the franchisee has agreed to build 73 new locations in the Kanto, Kansai and Chubu regions of Japan over the next five years.

“We are delighted to extend our relationship with Krispy Kreme Doughnut Japan Co., Ltd., which has been our franchise partner since 2006,” said Jeff Welch, president of international operations at Krispy Kreme. “They are an outstanding operator, and we look forward to a continued association with them as they share the one-of-a-kind Krispy Kreme experience with consumers in Japan.”

Mr. Welch said the addition of the stores in Japan combined with a commitment for 70 additional stores by the company’s franchisee in Mexico will add 143 new Krispy Kreme stores to the company’s international development pipeline during the next five years.

Krispy Kreme operates in more than 650 stores in 21 countries, including the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the Republic of Korea, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.