McDonald’s is set to remove Krispy Kreme doughnuts from its U.S. menu as the two companies announced the end of their partnership, effective July 2. This decision comes just over a year after the collaboration was launched, aimed at bringing Krispy Kreme’s popular doughnuts to McDonald’s locations across the country.
Despite initial excitement and a successful pilot program in Kentucky, the anticipated rollout faltered. The companies had planned to expand doughnut offerings to all McDonald’s locations by the end of 2026, but they only introduced the treats in about 2,400 of the nearly 14,000 U.S. stores. Krispy Kreme cited insufficient demand at McDonald’s as a primary reason for discontinuing the partnership, which left the brand unable to recover its costs.
McDonald’s expressed appreciation for the strong collaboration with Krispy Kreme, highlighting their commitment to quality products. Alyssa Buetikofer, McDonald’s U.S. chief marketing officer, emphasized the necessity for the business model to be profitable for both parties involved.
In a positive light, Krispy Kreme will continue to be available at grocery stores and other high-volume retailers, ensuring that fans of their doughnuts can still enjoy them despite the end of this particular partnership. This development may encourage Krispy Kreme to explore new avenues for distribution, potentially leading to creative marketing and sales strategies moving forward.
Overall, while the collaboration may be ending, it opens up new potential opportunities for both brands in the future.