Overview

• McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme will terminate their U.S. partnership on July 2 after offering doughnuts in just 2,400 of nearly 14,000 McDonald’s outlets.
• Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth said the venture became unsustainable after failing to align costs with tepid consumer demand.
• The partnership’s nationwide rollout was paused in May as Krispy Kreme grappled with a 70% stock decline and a $33 million loss in the first quarter of 2025.
• McDonald’s described the doughnut offering as a small, non-material component of its breakfast menu, which remains a key focus for the chain.
• After the split, Krispy Kreme plans to emphasize profitable grocery retail channels and capital-light international franchise expansion.