McDonald's Menu is Changing: What to Know
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
McDonald's has announced it will stop selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts at its U.S. restaurants starting July 2, ending a joint effort that company leaders described as ultimately "unsustainable."
The decision comes as McDonald's launches a series of menu changes—including new desserts, value meals, and the return of the Snack Wrap—affecting restaurants nationwide.
The Krispy Kreme partnership, which began in 2022 and expanded in early 2024, supplied doughnuts to around 2,400 McDonald's restaurants across the country.
FILE- McDonald's sign advertising Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for sale. McDonald's formed a partnership with Krispy Kreme in 2024 to sell their doughnuts.
FILE- McDonald's sign advertising Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for sale. McDonald's formed a partnership with Krispy Kreme in 2024 to sell their doughnuts.
Getty Images
Why It Matters
The end of Krispy Kreme sales at McDonald's signals a shift in the fast-food giant's menu strategy as it faces rising costs and changing consumer preferences.
McDonald's recent menu overhauls—including the launch of a McValue menu and new limited-time items—reflect growing competition and heightened price sensitivity among U.S. diners.
The move also impacts customers who had enjoyed expanded doughnut options at McDonald's, while offering insight into how restaurant partnerships navigate supply chain and profitability pressures.
What To Know
McDonald's will discontinue the sale of Krispy Kreme doughnuts at its restaurants nationwide after July 2. The companies jointly characterized the partnership as "strong collaboration" but said the business arrangement was not profitable for Krispy Kreme—a conclusion reached after trying to address costs and demand. Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth said: "Ultimately, efforts to bring our costs in line with unit demand were unsuccessful, making the partnership unsustainable for us."
McDonald's had initially announced plans in March 2024 to offer three flavors of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, with ambitious rollout expectations through 2026. However, several months later, leaders from both companies decided to suspend further expansion and end the current supply arrangement, citing profitability challenges.
New Menu Additions for 2025
The menu changes at McDonald's extend beyond the removal of doughnuts. This summer, several new and returning items are debuting or expanding on U.S. menus. These include:
2025 HERSHEY'S S'mores McFlurry , available starting June 10, blending vanilla soft serve, HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows (McDonald's USA, June 5, 2025).
, available starting June 10, blending vanilla soft serve, HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows (McDonald's USA, June 5, 2025). Lemonade as a permanent menu item, featuring real lemon juice and cane sugar, now available nationwide.
as a permanent menu item, featuring real lemon juice and cane sugar, now available nationwide. Squishmallows Happy Meals , with collectible toys and associated digital experiences, restocked in May for a limited time.
, with collectible toys and associated digital experiences, restocked in May for a limited time. Oreo Shamrock McFlurry returning for a limited run from February 10, blending OREO pieces with Shamrock Shake syrup and soft serve.
Value Menu Expansion and Promotions
In its largest menu update in years, McDonald's launched an expanded McValue menu in January 2025, featuring eight items across breakfast and the rest of the day. Customers can mix and match select menu items via a "buy one, add one for $1" promotion, which CEO Joe Erlinger described as the company's effort to deliver more options amid inflation and increased menu prices.
The expanded value offers follow a period in which McDonald's reported a 40 percent average menu price increase since 2019 and sluggish sales growth in recent quarters. These deals are intended to help attract and retain price-sensitive customers.
Snack Wrap Comeback After Customer Demand
Another major change coming in summer 2025 is the return of the McDonald's Snack Wrap. Removed from menus in 2016 to streamline kitchen operations, the Snack Wrap will reappear in U.S. restaurants on July 10, in fried chicken Ranch and Spicy flavors. McDonald's highlighted the persistent customer demand and social media campaigns that fueled its revival, including a petition with nearly 19,000 signatures.
The new version focuses exclusively on fried chicken, diverging from original offerings that included grilled versions and multiple sauces, in a move aimed at operational simplicity and speed.
International Changes and Rewards
McDonald's restaurants in the U.K. are also cycling in new items in 2025 and expanded their MyMcDonald's Rewards program.
What People Are Saying
Alyssa Buetikofer, McDonald's USA's Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer, said: "We were excited and pleased to partner with Krispy Kreme. We had strong collaboration with Krispy Kreme and they delivered a great, high-quality product for us, and while the partnership met our expectations for McDonald's and Owner/Operators, this needed to be a profitable business model for Krispy Kreme as well."
What Happens Next
Krispy Kreme has announced plans to expand distribution to other retail and international outlets following the end of the McDonald's deal.
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