Krispy Kreme is currently offering free glazed doughnuts to customers who show a McDonald’s receipt dated between October 10 and 14. This promotion is in celebration of a new partnership between Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s, which will see Krispy Kreme doughnuts sold at all 13,500 McDonald’s locations by the end of 2026. Chicago is rumored to be the first market to receive the expanded Krispy Kreme offerings.
Josh Charlesworth, President and CEO of Krispy Kreme, stated that the top request from consumers is for more access to their delicious doughnuts. By partnering with McDonald’s, Krispy Kreme aims to make their doughnuts more widely available to fans. All U.S. McDonald’s customers will eventually be able to purchase original glazed, chocolate iced with sprinkles, and chocolate iced cream-filled doughnuts individually or in packs of six.
The ramping up period for this partnership is due to the production capacity Krispy Kreme will need to meet the demand of so many McDonald’s stores. While Krispy Kreme only has 300-400 of its own shops, it has thousands of “points of access” such as supermarkets and convenience stores. The largest Krispy Kreme store is located in NYC’s Times Square.
In a humorous incident last year, a delivery van with 10,000 donuts was stolen by a thief in Australia but was later found abandoned. This theft highlights the popularity of Krispy Kreme doughnuts and the lengths some will go to for a sweet treat. The new partnership with McDonald’s will likely increase the availability and accessibility of Krispy Kreme doughnuts to a wider audience.
The promotion for a free Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut with a McDonald’s receipt is only valid until October 14, giving customers a limited time to take advantage of the offer. This partnership between the two iconic fast food chains marks a turning point in Krispy Kreme’s expansion plans and will benefit customers looking for more access to their favorite doughnuts. It remains to be seen how successful and popular this partnership will be among fans of both McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme.
