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Krispy Kreme Halts McDonald’s Doughnut Expansion Amid Profitability Concerns

The company pauses its rollout at 2,400 locations, discontinues dividends, and withdraws its 2025 outlook as it prioritizes financial stability.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 05: Doughnuts are sold at a Krispy Kreme store on May 05, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The doughnut chain reported yesterday that it plans to take the company public again. The company was taken public in 2000 but struggled before being acquired by JAB Holding Company in 2016. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Krispy Kreme menu offerings seen at a McDonald's drive-thru in November 2024, months after the partnership was first announced.
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Overview

  • Krispy Kreme has paused its nationwide doughnut partnership with McDonald’s, halting expansion beyond 2,400 U.S. locations as it reassesses profitability.
  • The company reported a $33 million net loss for the first quarter of 2025 and withdrew its full-year financial outlook, citing economic challenges.
  • Krispy Kreme announced it will discontinue quarterly dividends to focus on debt reduction and sustainable growth, saving approximately $6 million per quarter.
  • Shares of Krispy Kreme fell nearly 25% following the announcement, extending a year-to-date decline of over 66%.
  • McDonald’s U.S. same-store sales declined 3.6% in the first quarter, reflecting broader consumer spending pressures impacting both companies.