McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme: A New Food Partnership – Expansion or Risk?
McDonald’s customers are in for an exciting addition to their morning McCafe routine. The fast-food giant has partnered with Krispy Kreme to offer a selection of the iconic doughnuts at McDonald’s restaurants starting later this year. This new collaboration, which was announced on Monday, aims to expand both brands, but it might also pose potential risks.
Three classic Krispy Kreme doughnut varieties – original glazed, chocolate iced with sprinkles, and chocolate iced “kreme” filled – will be available for purchase at McDonald’s locations nationwide. This isn’t the first time two competitors have joined forces; earlier this year, Wendy’s introduced Cinnabon to its breakfast lineup. However, this partnership comes with potential risks that could sway McDonald’s franchise owners and potentially weaken both brand names.
McDonald’s has been grappling with rising prices, which has resulted in some lower-income consumers opting to cook at home instead of dining out. McDonald’s Chief Financial Officer Ian Borden acknowledged this issue earlier in March, stating that some Americans were choosing to prepare meals at home over dining at the chain’s restaurants. To address affordability concerns, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski indicated that the company would lower prices on specific menu items.
Meanwhile, Krispy Kreme is celebrating the partnership with a promotion. Guests who visit any Krispy Kreme location between 5 and 9 pm on Tuesday can enjoy a free glazed doughnut.
The partnership began as a test at 160 McDonald’s restaurants in Kentucky. Once the doughnuts have been phased in nationwide, they will be available for purchase individually or in packs of six starting at breakfast and continuing until supplies last.
Though there are far fewer Krispy Kreme locations (around 1,200) than McDonald’s (approximately 13,500 in the US), customers can still buy Krispy Kreme doughnuts at other retailers like Walmart and grocery stores. The collaboration could potentially expand Krispy Kreme’s reach, as the company has been working on scaling its supply chain to meet its commitment to delivering fresh doughnuts daily.
According to Krispy Kreme President and CEO Josh Charlesworth, “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.”
This food collaboration aims to expand both brands’ reach, but it comes with potential risks. Only time will tell if this partnership proves beneficial for McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme or poses challenges. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new venture.
