Beginning July 2, 2025, McDonald's Krispy Kreme doughnut phase-out will begin in 2,400 United States restaurants. The union of the two food giants is finally coming to an end, and lovers of the sweet treat will no longer be able to spot them on McDonald's menus.

The withdrawn products are:

·         Original Glazed Doughnut

·         Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles Doughnut

·         Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled Doughnut

These had previously been sold separately or in batches of six, together with McDonald's other treats like Oreo McFlurry and Hot Fudge Sundae.

A Sweet Partnership That Soured

The McDonald’s Krispy Kreme doughnut removal marks the end of a relationship that started in late 2023. The doughnut trial initially introduced at 160 McDonald's restaurants in Kentucky was a hit and created buzz. In response to positive reviews, the companies launched the offer in October 2024 at Chicago-area restaurants.

Expansion initiatives were already in progress to go national by the end of 2026. But plans are on hold for a while.

In a statement on June 24, Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth said:

"Both our companies functioned very tightly together, having common support for execution, marketing, and training, with a great consumer experience. Ultimately, efforts to align our costs with unit demand were not successful, and the partnership was no longer viable for us."

Why McDonald's Krispy Kreme Doughnut Removal Happened

While pilot tests were successful and even better than expected in the initial stages, the same did not happen when the scale increased. Demand at a larger scale failed to live up to expectations, and the costs remained too high to be justifiable, according to an Associated Press report.

McDonald's has seemingly experienced supply chain and logistics problems with keeping a consistent supply of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. In the meantime, Krispy Kreme was unable to keep operational costs in line with the amount of sales they gained.

Therefore, McDonald's Krispy Kreme doughnut removal was the most sensible next move for both companies.

What's Next for Both Brands

Krispy Kreme is now set to return to expanding its own branded distribution system. The company has been expanding its retail store and convenience store base and is likely to double down on that.

Meanwhile, McDonald's is going back to basics and will revamp its breakfast. Although demand for breakfast items remains strong among consumers, the chain feels more secure in tweaking such classics as Egg McMuffins and hash browns than experimenting with new dessert partnerships.

 Customer Reaction to Krispy Kreme Withdrawal

On Twitter, the reaction was mixed. Some loyal customers were irritated at the disappearance of a convenient pickup point for their favorite doughnuts, but others were not.

One of Twitter (formerly X) users penned:

"Never gonna make it long. Krispy Kremes are too delicate for fast food schedules."

Another joined:

"Sad to lose them, but Krispy Kreme is something to put in a box on your breakfast table — not a bag in a drive-thru."

McDonald's Krispy Kreme Doughnut Removal—A Final Thought

Though short-lived, the McDonald's-Krispy Kreme experiment was a daring attempt to combine two of America's favorite brands. But the McDonald's Krispy Kreme doughnut removal signals that all marriages are not meant to be forever.

Beginning July 2, shoppers will have to visit Krispy Kreme stores or retailers for their doughnut fix. Meanwhile, McDonald's will continue to simplify its core menu as the golden arches say goodbye to glazed rings—forever.