When fans of Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s believed a collaboration between the two brands would expand the sale of the iconic donuts, everything fell apart. The deal failed, and now the popular donut franchise’s products will no longer be sold at the fast-food giant’s locations.
In March 2024, McDonald’s agreed to sell Krispy Kreme donuts. The rollout began in the second half of that year and was planned to expand to all locations nationwide by the end of 2026. However, both brands decided to pull back. But why did they choose to end the collaboration? Here’s everything we know.
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Why will McDonald’s no longer sell Krispy Kreme donuts?
According to Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth, consumer demand fell short of expectations after the initial launch at McDonald’s. As a result, both companies are working together to boost sales and reduce operational costs.
Krispy Kreme invested significant time and resources to scale up production capacity in order to supply McDonald’s restaurants across the country. However, this heavy capital investment severely impacted the donut chain’s profitability, leaving it with little to no margin. Over the past 12 months, the company has reported consistent declines in earnings, including a $33 million loss in the most recent quarter. Meanwhile, McDonald’s also faced challenges, reporting a 3.6% drop in sales during the first quarter of 2025.
Which Krispy Kreme donuts did McDonald’s sell?
The fast-food chain offered customers three of Krispy Kreme’s most popular donuts:
- Original Glazed Doughnut: a classic donut covered with Krispy Kreme’s signature glaze.
- Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles Doughnut: topped with chocolate icing and rainbow sprinkles.
- Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled Doughnut: a soft donut filled with light and fluffy Kreme, coated in chocolate glaze.
Krispy Kreme launches Mother’s Day doughnut collection
The doughnut chain recently launched its new Mother’s Day collection, perfect for surprising and celebrating mom. The new Minis for Mom collection includes four new and delicious flavors:
- Mini Strawberry Sunshine Doughnut – A Mini Original Glazed doughnut dipped in strawberry-flavored icing, topped with yellow and orange icing drizzles and yellow vanilla-flavored buttercream.
- Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight Doughnut – A Mini Original Glazed doughnut dipped in chocolate icing and chocolate chip cookie crumble, topped with cookie dough-flavored buttercream.
- Mini Chocolate Iced Yellow Heart Doughnut – A Mini Original Glazed doughnut dipped in chocolate icing and topped with a yellow icing heart.
- Mini Sparkly Vanilla Sunset Doughnut – A Mini Original Glazed doughnut dipped in yellow vanilla-flavored icing and pink sanding sugar.
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The new doughnuts are already available and will remain on the menu through May 11. The Minis for Mom collection is available in stores and for pickup or delivery via the app and website, in packs of 2 or in a 16-count box. You can also enjoy the mini doughnuts in an 8-count box, freshly delivered daily to select grocery stores.
History of Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme’s history began in the 1930s. According to legend, Vernon Rudolph, the founder of this famous doughnut brand, won the secret recipe for making yeast doughnuts in a poker game against a French chef in New Orleans.
He then rented a space in Old Salem, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he started selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts wholesale to supermarkets. However, the irresistible aroma of freshly baked doughnuts began to fill the streets, attracting passersby who eagerly asked if they could buy hot and fresh doughnuts.
Vernon seized the opportunity and decided to open a small hole in the wall of his building to sell directly to customers. Although Vernon passed away in 1976, his beloved Krispy Kreme brand lives on today.
In 2001, the company opened its first international store in Canada, near Toronto, a huge success that fueled its global expansion. By 2012, the brand had 500 stores outside the United States, and today it has over 1,400 locations in more than 33 countries.
