McDonald’s Might Be Discontinuing a Fan-Favorite Menu Item

McDonald’s fans know they have plenty of menu options they can count on. Happy Meals stuffed with collectibles, decadent McFlurry treats, and of course, the classic Big Mac have been around forever—and let’s not forget the chain’s impressive drink selection.

That’s all to say, when items are discontinued, it can cause a real uproar. Customers were not pleased when McDonald’s removed its Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait and Fried Apple Pie, not to mention those Chicken Selects.

Sometimes, customers are lucky enough to see certain offerings make a comeback, like the Snack Wraps everyone’s been anxiously awaiting (due any day now!) and the beloved Selects strips. Then there are items quietly taken away without us even having one last chance to enjoy them.

The latest limited-time treat hasn’t been around for long and is only available in select locations, but it’s part of a promising partnership between Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s that’s now on pause as the companies reassess their strategy.

McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme Are Pausing Their Partnership Expansion

Krispy Kreme recently stated in its first quarter 2025 financial report, released earlier this month, that it will not be expanding its partnership with McDonald’s.

The report states that as of March 30, 2025, Krispy Kreme doughnuts are available in 2,400 McDonald’s restaurants. However, the company is “reassessing its deployment schedule” with the burger chain and “does not expect to launch in any additional restaurants in the second quarter of 2025.”

McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme started their partnership in 2024 when Mickey D’s added Krispy Kreme doughnuts to the menu in Louisville, Kentucky locations. Around that time, the doughnut brand said it had plans to bring its popular confections to McDonald’s restaurants nationwide by the end of 2026, giving customers all over the country opportunities to enjoy an Original Glazed Doughnut, the Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles Doughnut, or the Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled Doughnut with their burger and fries.

Krispy Kreme stated in its financial report that although it “continues to believe in the long-term opportunity of profitable growth through the U.S. nationwide expansion, including McDonald’s,” it is withdrawing its prior full-year outlook and will not update it due to the “macroeconomic softness and the uncertainty around the McDonald’s deployment schedule.” This comes after McDonald’s earnings release for the first quarter of 2025, in which the brand reported a 3.6 percent sales drop in the U.S.

While we’re sad to see this partnership crumble before it really got rolling, it’s not all bad news for McDonald’s fans looking for something sweet. The home of the Big Mac recently launched its Chocolate Chip Frappé with the help of Hershey, and there’s always the McDonald’s Cotton Candy Sprite hack built by loyal customers. If nothing else, we can only hope Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s find their way back to each other again—nationwide, this time.