A Sweet Cultural Synergy: McDonald’s & Krispy Kreme Unite
The ultimate collab
In a move that signifies the blending of the iconic American favourites with burgers and donuts, McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme have announced a “groundbreaking” national partnership set to reshape breakfast culture across the US. The collaboration to beat all collabs, will see Krispy Kreme’s beloved doughnuts available in McDonald’s restaurants nationwide, represents more than just a business deal—it’s a cultural phenomenon in the making.
I can’t wait to see the ‘official’ smashburger TikTok’s with a burger sandwiched between Krispy Kreme donuts.
Starting in H2 2024, McDonald’s customers will be able to choose from three of Krispy Kreme’s most popular doughnuts: the Original Glazed, Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles, and Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled. They’ll be delivered fresh daily, available both individually and in boxes of six.
KK x McD
This is more than just a cultural masterclass, it’s a logistical feat by Krispy Kreme that will unlock significantly greater sales volumes with it becoming a convenience purchase while at McDonald’s. It’s worth noting that it’s going to be a considered roll out with fully nationwide availability not expected until by the end of 2026 so this is effectively a 2.5 year investment and roll out.
The Cultural Impact
This partnership is more than just a business agreement; it’s going to be a surefire cultural hit. This move taps into nostalgia, familiarity and comfort while catering to modern consumer demands for quality and variety.
It follows a successful test at 160 McDonald’s restaurants in the Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky areas where consumer excitement and demand exceeded expectations. These pilot restaurants will continue to serve Krispy Kreme doughnuts during the nationwide rollout.
Tariq Hassan, McDonald’s USA’s Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, emphasized the strategic and cultural significance of this collaboration.
“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. This partnership is an exciting next step in that journey,”
Krispy Kreme’s President and CEO, Josh Charlesworth, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the cultural demand for Krispy Kreme’s presence in more towns.
“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,” .
“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,”
To satisfy this increased demand, Krispy Kreme has been scaling its supply chain, building a support team, adding technology and new equipment, and enhancing field training to support.
This collaboration promises to redefine breakfast and snack time for years to come, making it a truly sweet moment in cultural history.
