The fast‑food giant and the iconic doughnut maker call it quits after a brief nationwide rollout that never left the test phase.
McDonald’s lovers who added a glazed treat to their morning coffee will have to look elsewhere beginning July 2, when the chain officially pulls all Krispy Kreme doughnuts from its breakfast menu. The move ends a 16‑month partnership that began with high hopes—and three crowd‑pleasing flavors—yet ultimately failed to turn a profit for the doughnut company.
Why the long‑awaited McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme collaboration proved difficult to sustain
First announced in March 2024 after a 160‑store test in Kentucky, the deal expanded to roughly 2,400 restaurants across Indiana and Kentucky by March 30, 2025. Plans originally called for nationwide availability by late 2026. However, Krispy Kreme’s leadership said in May that costs were outpacing demand, forcing both brands to “reassess the deployment schedule.” When talks ended, executives agreed that the economics simply didn’t stack up.
Alyssa Buetikofer, McDonald’s USA’s chief marketing and customer‑experience officer, praised the quality of the sweets but noted they represented “a small, non‑material part” of the Golden Arches’ robust breakfast business. Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth was blunter: the company never found a way to “bring our costs in line with unit demand.”
| Key metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Test launch | Oct. 2022 (160 stores) |
| Public rollout announced | Mar. 2024 |
| Peak locations served | ~2,400 (IN & KY) |
| Planned nationwide launch | End 2026 (canceled) |
| Final day on menu | July 2, 2025 |
Despite the split, both firms described the trial as “collaborative” and left the door open for future projects.
What customers should know about breakfast options after Krispy Kreme’s departure
Need a sweet fix with your Egg McMuffin? While doughnuts disappear, signature McCafé pastries remain—including blueberry muffins, apple fritters, and cinnamon rolls. McDonald’s also hinted at new baked‑good experiments later this year. So what can you order instead?
- Stick with classics: Hotcakes, hash browns, and breakfast burritos aren’t going anywhere.
- Try existing bakery picks: The McCafé lineup covers both sweet and savory cravings.
- Watch for limited‑time items: Seasonal muffins or pies often arrive in fall and winter.
Key dates, flavors and numbers that defined the short‑lived doughnut experiment
From the Original Glazed to the Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled, three core flavors carried the partnership. They accounted for less than two percent of McDonald’s breakfast sales but required a complex cold‑chain delivery system that ate into Krispy Kreme’s margins. After weighing the costs, both partners decided the effort wasn’t worth extending beyond the Midwest.
Consequently, July 2 will mark the final morning you can snag a Krispy Kreme doughnut under the Golden Arches. Fans craving that familiar sugary ring will have to head to a standalone Krispy Kreme shop—or hope for a comeback down the road.