Krispy Kreme Brings Pokemon Doughnuts to US Fans for First Time in 30 Years
Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ: DNUT) will launch a US Pokémon Doughnut Collection on Aug. 18, 2026, with six themed doughnuts available through Sept. 13. Pre-orders for the Pokémon Dozen run through Aug. 17. Guests wearing Pokémon attire on Aug. 22 get a free Original Glazed doughnut. The rollout follows DNUT’s 2025 McDonald’s USA partnership end.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The promotion is designed to rebuild consumer traffic and broaden reach after Krispy Kreme ended its McDonald’s USA partnership in 2025, shifting emphasis toward retail and grocery distribution.
Market read
For DNUT, the key tradable element is the dated, nationwide US product launch plus a same-weekend free-doughnut traffic driver, with distribution into major grocery chains.
What to watch
The article lacks unit economics, expected promotional spend, and sell-through data; traders should watch whether grocery partners’ distribution translates into sustained traffic after Sept. 13.
Background
Krispy Kreme previously ran Pokémon doughnut collections in Australia (2021) and South Korea (2024), but this is the first nationwide US collaboration tied to Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
Ticker impact
Krispy Kreme will launch a nationwide US Pokémon Doughnut Collection Aug. 18 through Sept. 13, with pre-orders open and a free-doughnut promo Aug. 22.
Likely modest positive bias into the Aug. 18 launch and Aug. 22 promo, with follow-through dependent on sell-through and any incremental channel traction.
The article provides concrete timing (Aug. 18 start, Sept. 13 end, Aug. 22 free offer) and distribution details (Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Stater Brothers), but it does not quantify expected revenue impact or margins.
Market effects
Highlights how fast-food and packaged dessert brands use major IP tie-ins to drive consumer traffic and shelf visibility.
US-focused collaboration may support incremental demand in grocery and convenience channels versus store-only traffic.
US expansion of a Pokémon collaboration could influence how other global food brands time franchise anniversary campaigns.
Counterpoint
A licensed promotion may be largely promotional and short-lived, with limited incremental profit if it cannibalizes regular doughnut sales or requires heavy discounting.
Key entities
- companyKrispy Kreme
DNUT, launching the US Pokémon Doughnut Collection Aug. 18 through Sept. 13 with pre-orders and an Aug. 22 free-doughnut offer.
- partnerThe Pokémon Company International
Licensing partner for the Pokémon-themed doughnut lineup and related packaging/cups.
- retail_partnerWalmart
One of the select grocery partners carrying the Pokémon 6-pack.
- retail_partnerKroger
One of the select grocery partners carrying the Pokémon 6-pack.
- retail_partnerPublix
One of the select grocery partners carrying the Pokémon 6-pack.
