The collaboration between McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme has been confirmed after a successful pilot program in Kentucky. They will be rolling out a selection of Krispy Kreme’s most popular doughnuts in McDonald’s locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026. This partnership aims to increase exposure for both brands, attract new audiences, and generate new ideas. However, collaborations between franchise brands also come with risks, such as alienating hardcore fans and diluting brand identity.
Krispy Kreme is expected to benefit the most from this collaboration as McDonald’s has significantly more locations in comparison. McDonald’s will have the exclusive right to supply Krispy Kreme doughnuts in their fast-food outlets, providing them with fresh content for their menu, especially during breakfast hours. This partnership will allow Krispy Kreme to significantly increase their reach, but they will need to ensure their supply chain and logistics can keep up with the demand, hence the phased rollout plan over two and a half years.
The partnership also benefits McDonald’s by appealing to a different demographic that Krispy Kreme attracts – customers with higher disposable income and a slight lean towards a female-focused audience. McDonald’s will be hoping to drive these customers to their restaurants, particularly at a time when they are facing criticism over increased menu prices and stiff competition in the breakfast market. After the announcement of the collaboration, shares of Krispy Kreme saw a significant increase, whereas McDonald’s share prices remained stable.
By making Krispy Kreme doughnuts accessible nationwide through this partnership, Krispy Kreme expects to more than double their points of access by the end of 2026. The partnership also accelerates the development of their existing Delivered Fresh Daily channel and creates operational leverage through distribution density and production utilization. This new venture provides both brands with the opportunity to expand their reach and potentially achieve success in a crowded market.
The phased national rollout of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in McDonald’s locations marks a new chapter in the collaboration between these two iconic franchise brands. As they aim to capitalize on each other’s strengths and reach new audiences, the partnership holds promise for both parties. With Krispy Kreme poised to expand its reach significantly and McDonald’s looking to attract a different demographic to its restaurants, this collaboration could bring both brands the sweet taste of success in the competitive food industry. Only time will tell how this partnership will unfold and whether it will bring the desired benefits to both McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme.