The brand’s recent collaboration with McDonald’s proved to be a flop after only two months.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is rethinking its national expansion into McDonald’s restaurants.
In February of this year, the two brands announced their partnership in a press release.
In a quarterly earnings report issued on May 8, the beloved doughnut chain announced that it would pause the “phased market rollout” of its products to McDonald’s locations across the United States.
However, it did not officially end the partnership.
The announcement comes after a reported net revenue decline of $59.4 million, owing primarily to a $64.3 million reduction related to the sale of a majority stake in Insomnia Cookies.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts were available in over 2,400 McDonald’s restaurants as of March 30, 2025, with the majority located in Indiana and Kentucky.
Originally, the two brands planned to expand Krispy Kreme offerings to participating McDonald’s locations across the country by the end of 2026.
“The company is reassessing the deployment schedule together with McDonald’s while it works to achieve a profitable business model for all parties,” Krispy Kreme said in a press release.
Krispy Kreme confirmed that it “does not expect to launch in any additional restaurants in the second quarter of 2025.”
Nonetheless, the brand emphasized its belief in the “long-term opportunity for profitable growth through the US nationwide expansion, including McDonald’s.”
The partnership, announced in March 2024, aimed to improve accessibility for Krispy Kreme customers who do not live near a store.
The collaboration came after a successful test at 160 McDonald’s locations in Lexington and Louisville, where consumer enthusiasm exceeded expectations.
“We continue to believe in the power of this partnership to bring the joy of Krispy Kreme to more people every day,” according to the business.
Under the original expansion plan, McDonald’s restaurants would receive daily deliveries of three popular doughnuts: the Original Glazed Doughnut, the Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles Doughnut, and the Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled Doughnut.
These treats would be available individually or in boxes of six, beginning with breakfast and continuing throughout the day.
“Partnering with McDonald’s on a national scale will provide our fans and doughnut lovers with unprecedented daily access to fresh doughnuts and the joy that is Krispy Kreme,” Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth stated in a press release.
McDonald’s locations that currently serve Krispy Kreme doughnuts will continue to do so.
The Krispy Kreme website includes a list of participating locations.
Although the expansion is on hold, the partnership remains intact, and Krispy Kreme’s leadership has left the door open for future expansion.
The company says it will reconsider expansion plans once it is certain the model is viable for both parties.