Krispy Kreme Doughnuts revealed plans to make its menu available for purchase at all McDonald's locations across the United States by the end of 2026, building upon successful trial runs that began in late 2022.

Does McDonald's Own Krispy Kreme Doughnuts?

The availability of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in McDonald's branches came from their partnership, not ownership. The implementation of this plan will commence in the latter half of this year, with an anticipated timeframe of approximately two and a half years for full integration. 

Under the partnership agreement, McDonald's will be the exclusive fast-food distributor for Krispy Kreme products in the United States.

Upon the announcement, Krispy Kreme's stock surged nearly 20% during premarket trading. 

What's important to this deal is the doughnut chain's "hub and spoke" distribution model, which facilitates the swift delivery of freshly baked goods from production hubs to various retail outlets. 

With over 13,500 McDonald's outlets in the U.S. and plans for further expansion, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts CEO Josh Charlesworth expressed confidence in their ability to service approximately 6,000 McDonald's locations using existing infrastructure. He noted that this McDonald's partnership would benefit from local deliveries and improve overall distribution network efficiency.

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Why Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Will Be Available in McDonald's Branches

The partnership with McDonald's represents a growth opportunity for Krispy Kreme. It allows the doughnut chain to tap into a broader customer base while optimizing production capabilities. Looking ahead, Krispy Kreme aims to gain access to over 100,000 points of sale, a major increase from previous estimates. 

McDonald's, in turn, gets to improve its bakery and breakfast offerings with the addition of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, therefore aligning with its strategy to cater to consumer preferences.

McDonald's customers can expect a selection of classic Krispy Kreme varieties, including the original glazed, chocolate iced with sprinkles, and chocolate iced cream-filled doughnuts, available throughout the day.

According to CNBC, despite market concerns related to competition from weight loss drugs impacting future sales, both Krispy Kreme and McDonald's remain optimistic about their partnership prospects.

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