Lowell Hawthorne, the CEO and founder of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill, has died of an apparent suicide on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 3.
“He was a good boss, humble and a good businessman. He never seemed sad. This is just terrible news right now.” said Pete Tee, 27, a former employee told Daily News.
“He was a nice boss, a wonderful guy,” said Everald Woods, an employee since 2003 told the newspaper. “He’s the kind of guy you want to work for, for that long. He takes care of his employees.”
His death has also sent shockwaves through Jamaica. Jamaican prime minister, Andrew Holness, expressed his condolences after hearing the news.
Hawthorne’s last post on social media was on Nov. 28 where he reflected on his struggle before his success in a short post.
Inspired by his father, who owned a bakery in Jamaica, Hawthorne first opened up his own bakery and grill business in his family’s basement. With the help of over 40 family members including his wife, siblings, and their spouses, the restaurant chain spread to nine states across the United States with over 120 restaurants.
Hawthorne’s success story has been documented in his memoir, “The Baker’s Son” which was published in 2012. He also starred in an episode of Undercover Boss earlier this year.
Golden Krust became the first Caribbean-owned business in the U.S. to be granted a franchise license, according to its website. Its mission is to provide the taste of the Carribean to the world.
“It’s a very humbling experience to know that the concept that began in Jamaica with our parents was able to come here,” Hawthorne told the Daily News back in 2012.
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From NTD.tv
