The much-anticipated collaboration between McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme, which brought beloved doughnuts to thousands of McDonald’s locations, has officially come to a close. As of July 2, 2025, McDonald’s will no longer offer Krispy Kreme doughnuts at its restaurants, marking a swift end to a partnership that once promised nationwide expansion and a fresh twist on breakfast menus across the U.S.
This joint decision follows months of reassessment and comes after the partnership failed to deliver sustainable results for Krispy Kreme, despite meeting expectations for McDonald’s and its franchise owners. The collaboration, which began in March 2024, aimed to make Krispy Kreme doughnuts available in all McDonald’s restaurants by the end of 2026. However, after rolling out to about 2,400 locations, demand dropped below projections and costs could not be aligned with unit sales, making the business model untenable for Krispy Kreme.
Why Did the McDonald’s Krispy Kreme Partnership End?
The partnership between McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme was initially celebrated as a win-win, offering customers a new breakfast favorite while expanding Krispy Kreme’s reach. Both companies invested heavily in marketing, training, and execution, ensuring a high-quality consumer experience. Yet, beneath the surface, challenges quickly emerged.
Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth explained that “efforts to align our costs with unit demand were unsuccessful, making the partnership unsustainable for us.” Despite strong collaboration and positive feedback from customers, the numbers simply didn’t add up. The doughnut chain faced declining sales per hub in the U.S., and macroeconomic pressures added to the uncertainty. In May 2025, Krispy Kreme paused the nationwide rollout, citing the need to reassess the business model.
For McDonald’s, the partnership was a “small, non-material” part of its breakfast business, which remains a core pillar of its strategy. McDonald’s Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer Alyssa Buetikofer noted that while the collaboration met the company’s expectations, it was essential for Krispy Kreme to find the partnership profitable as well.
Key Points: McDonald’s Krispy Kreme Doughnut Partnership
- Start Date: March 2024
- End Date: July 2, 2025
- Locations: Approximately 2,400 McDonald’s restaurants
- Reason for Ending: Costs not aligned with unit demand, making the partnership unprofitable for Krispy Kreme
- Impact on McDonald’s: “Small, non-material” part of breakfast business
- Impact on Krispy Kreme: Focus shifts to high-volume retail points and international franchise growth
- Market Response: McDonald’s shares slightly declined; Krispy Kreme’s stock rose over 1% on announcement day, despite a steep overall decline this year
What’s Next for McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme?
With the partnership ending, both companies are refocusing on their core strategies. McDonald’s will continue to emphasize its breakfast menu, seeking to attract customers with value promotions and affordable options. The absence of Krispy Kreme doughnuts is unlikely to create a significant gap, as the product represented only a small fraction of McDonald’s offerings.
Krispy Kreme, on the other hand, is shifting its attention to expanding its presence in high-volume retail locations and growing its international franchise operations. The company aims to make its doughnuts more accessible by leveraging retail partnerships and capital-efficient expansion abroad. This pivot is seen as a necessary step to address underperformance and position the brand for sustainable growth.
Consumer and Market Reactions
The news of the McDonald’s Krispy Kreme partnership ending has sparked conversations across social media and online platforms. On Instagram, some fans expressed disappointment, sharing nostalgic posts about grabbing a Krispy Kreme doughnut with their McDonald’s breakfast. YouTube creators have posted reaction videos, speculating on what went wrong and what the future holds for both brands.
Market analysts have noted that the partnership’s failure reflects broader challenges in the quick-service restaurant industry. McDonald’s has faced sluggish sales as consumers cut back on dining out due to inflation, while Krispy Kreme has reported millions in losses and a sharp decline in stock value this year. Despite these setbacks, both companies remain committed to innovation and customer satisfaction.
Looking Forward
The end of the McDonald’s Krispy Kreme doughnut partnership is a reminder of how quickly market dynamics can change. While the collaboration offered exciting possibilities, it ultimately fell short of expectations for Krispy Kreme. Both brands are now turning their attention to new opportunities, ensuring that customers will continue to enjoy their favorite products—just not together.
Stay tuned for updates on how McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme evolve their breakfast and retail strategies in the coming months. Share your thoughts on social media and let us know if you’ll miss the McDonald’s Krispy Kreme doughnut combo!