American doughnut chain Krispy Kreme is coming to Dublin. British real estate agent Morgan Williams is scouting potential sites in the capital for 'hotlight factory store' that would comprise a production unit and a cafe selling the doughnuts.

Tim Edwards of Morgan Williams told The Irish Times that the holder of the franchise for the UK and Ireland was now looking to bring the brand to Dublin.

Founded in 1937 by Vernon Rudolph in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Krispy Kreme has more than 1,100 outlets in 26 countries and total revenues of $518 million (€464m). Its best seller is the original glazed doughnut.

In Ireland the chain is looking for a leasehold site, either at a free standing building or a development plot. It is seeking a building of about 4,700sq ft that is capable of accommodating a drive-thru, and has a minimum 60 car parking spaces.

The investment in a factory store would be in excess of €1.5 million, and it would be expected to employ about 50.