McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme End Their Partnership After Barely 2 Years – Here’s Why!

McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme are officially parting ways, ending a high-profile partnership that once promised to bring fresh doughnuts to Golden Arches nationwide. As of July 2, 2025, Krispy Kreme doughnuts will no longer be available at the 2,400 McDonald’s locations that had been participating in the rollout.

What Went Wrong?

Despite early enthusiasm and strong consumer demand during pilot tests in Kentucky and Chicago, the partnership ultimately proved unsustainable for Krispy Kreme. According to CEO Josh Charlesworth, the company struggled to align distribution costs with unit-level demand, making the model financially unviable at scale. McDonald’s, for its part, said the collaboration met expectations on their end, but acknowledged that the venture needed to be profitable for both parties to continue.

A Promising Start, an Abrupt End

The partnership began in 2023 as a small test and expanded rapidly, with plans to reach nationwide availability by the end of 2026. Customers could purchase Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed, Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles, and Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled doughnuts individually or in six-packs throughout the day. However, by May 2025, Krispy Kreme had already begun reassessing the rollout, citing economic headwinds and operational challenges.

Krispy Kreme now plans to refocus on high-volume retail distribution and international franchise growth, while McDonald’s will double down on its core breakfast offerings. Though the partnership is ending, both companies emphasized the strong collaboration and mutual respect that defined their time working together.