Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill

Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill is the largest Caribbean restaurant chain in the United States, known for its authentic Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine. The company began in 1989, when Lowell Hawthorne and his family opened their first bakery in the Bronx, drawing on recipes that had been passed down since 1949 in Saint Andrew, Jamaica. This family-owned business quickly became a go-to destination for Caribbean food, especially in neighborhoods with strong ties to the region.

A key turning point for Golden Krust was its move to a franchise model, which allowed the brand to grow rapidly and gave many entrepreneurs from Caribbean backgrounds the opportunity to open their own locations. By 1998, the company was producing 25 million Jamaican patties each year, and as of October 2025, that number has more than doubled. Today, Golden Krust operates 120 restaurants across nine states, with most locations concentrated in New York and the Northeast. The company also distributes its products to supermarkets, schools, and institutions across the country, further extending its reach.

Over the last five years, Golden Krust has continued to expand through franchising and strategic partnerships, focusing on urban centers and areas with significant Caribbean populations. The brand has increased its presence in priority markets such as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, and Maryland, and is actively seeking new franchisees and locations in the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and select international markets. Recent initiatives include relief partnerships and expanded supermarket distribution, reflecting the company’s commitment to community engagement and adaptability.

Golden Krust’s restaurant formats range from quick-service locations to bakery-cafés, offering flexibility for a variety of settings. The company’s steady growth, strong franchise model, and established reputation make it a reliable operator with proven success in multi-unit development. Led by CEO Jacqueline Hawthorne, Golden Krust maintains a robust community presence and continues to evolve its footprint, making it a recognizable and credible tenant for landlords, brokers, and developers seeking stable, scalable concepts with broad consumer appeal.