The Golden Arches and Krispy Kreme, one of the most beloved sweet treat brands in the world, are teaming up for a national expansion
What is better than a hot cup of coffee and doughnut? Nothing, really. And, who has a better fast-food breakfast than McDonalds?
Mcdonald’s (do I really need to give a description of the fast-food giant here) understands this. With the popularity of its McCafe coffee and the breakfast crowd being one of the company’s largest demos, the juggernaut wants to add a sweet flair to the breakfast routine.
Krispy Kreme (KK).
Just reading those words made you smile, didn’t it?
According to a release by McDonald’s, KK will provide fresh doughnuts daily at McDonald’s restaurants nationwide and a “Phased rollout” will begin later this year with nationwide availability expected by the end of 2026.
Krispy Kreme has been scaling its supply chain, building a support team, adding technology and new equipment and enhancing field training to support its Delivered Fresh Daily expansion, which includes this phased rollout.
“We know nothing hits the spot quite like a fresh, melt-in-your-mouth doughnut paired with your go-to McCafé® order,” according to Mcdonald’s.
The sudden, unceremonious closure of the KK location in Cookeville back in 2018 may have put a sour taste in some fans’ mouths, but people do have short memories, and perhaps they can forgive when they see Krispy Kreme’s hot light on at a McDonalds near them. I’m sure they will, just as McDonald’s is sure the rollout will add to the popularity of its already flourishing, ever-changing 50-year-old breakfast menu.
“Since the launch of breakfast nearly 50 years ago, we’ve continued to offer new menu items, flavors and experiences that have made McDonald’s an irreplaceable part of fans’ morning routines,” said Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s USA’s Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer. “This partnership is an exciting next step in that journey and a chance to unlock new business opportunities in the breakfast category and throughout the day. Our fans’ love for Krispy Kreme runs deep, and we can’t wait to make it even easier for them to satisfy their sweet tooth at McDonald’s restaurants across the country.”
The national expansion follows test runs at 160 McDonald’s restaurants in the Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky areas where “consumer excitement and demand exceeded expectations.”
Like the power of the sun, KK’s popularity is undeniable.
“The top request we receive from consumers, every day, is, ‘please bring Krispy Kreme to my town.’ Partnering with McDonald’s on a national scale will provide our fans and doughnut lovers unprecedented daily access to fresh doughnuts and the joy that is Krispy Kreme,” said Krispy Kreme President and CEO Josh Charlesworth.
KK will more than double its customer’s points of access with the move.
“Significantly, by making Kreme Krispy accessible to fans nationwide through this partnership, we expect to more than double our points of access by the end of 2026. The partnership accelerates the development of our existing Delivered Fresh Daily channel, creating operating leverage through distribution density and production utilization,” said Charlesworth.
Three of KK’s most popular doughnuts will be delivered fresh to McDonald’s restaurants every day:
- The iconic Original Glazed® Doughnut: A melt-in-your-mouth doughnut covered in Krispy Kreme’s signature glaze. The doughnut that started it all.
- The Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles Doughnut: A chocolatey twist on the original, dipped in chocolate icing and covered in rainbow sprinkles.
- The Chocolate Iced Kreme™ Filled Doughnut: Made with a light, fluffy dough and filled with a smooth Kreme™ filling then dipped in chocolate icing.
KK and McDonald’s will provide more details regarding the nationwide rollout in the coming months.
“So, get ready to sweeten up your day as these delicious treats make their way to your local McDonald’s restaurant soon,” says McDonald’s.
For more information, visit McDonald’s HERE or follow social media: X, Instagram and Facebook. Connect with KK online on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter.)
Image by nuraghies on Freepik.
Copyright 2023 The Upper Cumberland Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Other stories you may want to check out:
