The fast-changing world of donuts and quick-service restaurants just got a jolt — as Krispy Kreme officially ends its high-profile partnership with McDonald’s USA, while simultaneously announcing a new retail expansion through Australian fuel and convenience chain Ampol Foodary.
🍩 McKreme No More: McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme Part Ways
On June 24, 2025, both companies confirmed they would discontinue their partnership, which had initially rolled out Krispy Kreme’s classic treats — like the Original Glazed Doughnut, Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles, and Chocolate Iced Kreme-Filled — at roughly 2,400 McDonald’s locations across the U.S.
Though initial test runs in Kentucky and Chicago showed consumer excitement, the rollout hit logistical and cost-related hurdles.
“Ultimately, efforts to bring our costs in line with unit demand were unsuccessful,” said Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth.
Originally, the goal was nationwide availability by 2026, but the collaboration has now been officially shelved as both companies refocus on core priorities — McDonald’s on its breakfast platform, and Krispy Kreme on its direct-to-retail distribution strategy.
🇦🇺 Meanwhile in Australia: Krispy Kreme Partners with Ampol Foodary
While the McDonald’s chapter closes, Krispy Kreme is already turning the page — this time, in Australia, where it’s expanding availability via a strategic partnership with Ampol.
As of June 2025, 30 Ampol Foodary locations across New South Wales and Melbourne are now stocked with fresh daily Krispy Kreme doughnuts, delivered in custom display cabinets that simulate a “store within a store” experience.
“This partnership continues our mission to allow more Aussies to treat themselves… in more places than ever before,” said Michael Darling, Chief Customer Officer at Krispy Kreme.
This expansion builds on earlier collaborations with bp Australia, marking Krispy Kreme’s accelerating efforts to dominate convenience retail in high-traffic fuel station hubs.
📊 What This Means for Donut Franchise Investors
The end of the McDonald’s partnership may seem like a setback, but it underscores an important lesson in scalability and unit economics — even for iconic brands. For franchise investors and donut business enthusiasts, here are the key takeaways:
✅ Lessons from the McDonald’s Partnership
- Even with national scale, operational complexity can make partnerships unsustainable.
- In-store baking logistics and demand variability proved challenging in QSR environments.
- Future QSR collaborations may need smaller footprints or self-contained kiosks.
🌍 Retail Strategy on the Rise
- Convenience retail partnerships like Ampol and bp offer controlled distribution, brand visibility, and fresh product delivery.
- These channels align with Krispy Kreme’s focus on hub-and-spoke models, driving demand through micro-distribution and on-site merchandising.
📈 What’s Next?
For Krispy Kreme, this likely signals more focus on:
- International convenience store partnerships
- Standalone outlets and foodservice
- Kiosk and drive-thru model innovation
- Global franchising in non-traditional spaces
🏁 Final Thoughts
Krispy Kreme’s pivot away from McDonald’s and toward retail-first partnerships like Ampol reflects a broader strategy to own its customer experience and streamline operations.
For investors, it’s a reminder that adaptability and distribution strategy are key in the donut franchise space — and that the next great expansion may be happening not in fast food chains, but at your local gas station.
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