Remember when McDonald’s tried to make Krispy Kreme donuts a thing at their restaurants? We know how that worked out. But leave it to Costco to swoop in and pick up where the Golden Arches stumbled.
The warehouse retailer is bringing Krispy Kreme donuts back to its shelves—and for long-time Costco members, this is a nostalgic comeback. Years ago, some Costco locations had their own Krispy Kreme-style glazed donuts, and a few warehouses even featured those iconic donut-making machines in their bakeries.
Now, Costco is partnering directly with Krispy Kreme to offer the real thing at select locations, and honestly? It might actually work this time around.
Here’s the scoop: Costco is offering 15-packs of Krispy Kreme’s iconic full-size glazed donuts for $15.99—that’s about $1.07 per donut. Some locations are also carrying 20-count boxes of mini Original Glazed donuts, typically priced around $17.99 to $20. Compare the full-size pricing to buying them at an actual Krispy Kreme store, where a single donut will set you back $2.19, or a dozen of the original glazed costs $17.49, and you realize you have yourself a not-so-bad bargain.
Though prices may vary by location (as Costco pricing often does), the value proposition is clear. For budget-conscious shoppers (and let’s be real, that’s all of us these days), that’s a pretty sweet deal. Pun absolutely intended.
Why McDonald’s couldn’t make it work
The fast-food giant began testing Krispy Kreme donuts back in October 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky. By 2024, they announced plans to roll out the partnership nationwide, aiming to have donuts in all McDonald’s locations by the end of 2026.
However, the partnership ended in July 2025. Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth admitted the deal created “unsustainable operating costs,” racking up a whopping $28.9 million in lease impairment and termination costs.
According to Restaurant Business Online, while McDonald’s locations themselves were turning a profit on donuts, Krispy Kreme couldn’t make the economics work on its end. The company’s adjusted EBITDA took a nosedive, and the whole thing just became a financial headache that Krispy Kreme wanted to deal with.
Why Costco might actually pull this off
So what makes Costco different? A few things, actually.
First off, Costco shoppers are wired differently. When you walk into a McDonald’s, you’re probably there for a burger and fries. By the time you finish that meal, you’re stuffed and not exactly thinking about dessert. But Costco shoppers? They’re often shopping on empty stomachs, wandering those massive warehouse aisles, and suddenly a 15-pack of glazed donuts sounds like the best idea in the world.
It’s impulse shopping 101, and Costco has mastered it.
Second, there’s the perception of value. Costco has trained its members to believe they’re always getting a deal. So even if those donuts aren’t exactly “hot off the line” fresh like they would be at a Krispy Kreme shop, that $15.99 price tag makes people overlook the freshness factor.
And speaking of freshness—Some Reddit users are already weighing in. One Costco shopper put it bluntly: “A hot, fresh off the line Krispy Kreme is one of the greatest things on the planet. Outside of that, they’re fine. Definitely not worth $18 for 20 minis but I suppose I’d get them if I’d never had them before.”
Fair point. But here’s the thing—throw those day-old donuts in the microwave or air fryer for 10 seconds, and suddenly you’ve got warm, melty donuts that taste pretty dang close to fresh. Problem solved. Some folks may even prefer donuts that are a few hours old, so there’s that to consider as well.
The accessibility factor
There’s another angle here that’s worth mentioning: not everyone lives near a Krispy Kreme location. The chain has about 400 stores in the U.S., but they’re not exactly on every corner like Starbucks. Costco, on the other hand, has over 600 locations nationwide, and its reach extends to suburban and rural areas where Krispy Kreme shops might be hours away.
For a lot of folks, this Costco partnership means they can finally get their hands on those iconic glazed donuts without planning a road trip. That convenience factor alone could drive serious sales.
The nostalgia play
Let’s not underestimate the power of nostalgia here. For Gen X and Boomers especially, Krispy Kreme donuts represent something special. These aren’t just donuts—they’re a childhood memory, a road trip treat, that thing your dad brought home on Saturday mornings.
For longtime members, seeing them back on Costco shelves adds an extra layer of familiarity that makes the purchase feel even more natural.
Costco knows its demographic, and bringing in a beloved brand like Krispy Kreme is a smart play to keep members happy and engaged. It’s the kind of move that makes people renew their memberships year after year.
What’s next?
Right now, Krispy Kreme donuts are only available at “select” Costco locations, so your mileage may vary depending on where you live. The rollout appears to have started in late September 2025, with various Costco shoppers spotting the 15-packs in their local warehouse bakery sections.
Will this partnership succeed where McDonald’s failed? Only time will tell. But with its unique retail environment built on value and impulse buying, Costco has advantages that McDonald’s never did.
Plus, let’s be honest—Costco already wins at the bakery game. Those $4.99 rotisserie chickens, the $1.50 hot dog combo, the pumpkin cheesecakes that people lose their minds over every fall. They know what they’re doing.
If anyone can make Krispy Kreme donuts work outside of a Krispy Kreme shop, it’s probably Costco.
Sources: The Street, Restaurant Business, Fortune