Why Everyone's Talking About The Krispy Kreme Donuts At Walmart

Doughnut fans everywhere rejoice! Popular doughnut brand Krispy Kreme plans to launch its first-ever nationally distributed retail product line on June 24th, 2020, according to AdAge. The sweet treats will be available exclusively in Walmart stores through 2021, when the company will begin offering them to other retailers as well. The boxes of mini doughnuts will be found on shelves alongside packaged snack brands such as Hostess and Little Debbie. Krispy Kreme Chief Marketing Officer Dave Skena told the outlet the company is particularly excited for everyone to finally "be able to access the Krispy Kreme brand."

AdAge notes that this move is actually a step closer to the company's roots, as founder Vernon Rudolph had initially planned to sell his doughnuts in grocery stores. He decided instead to sell directly to customers from individual Krispy Kreme shops because so many people stopped and requested to purchase doughnuts from the factory as they were being made, claiming they were drawn in by the alluring smell. Seeing a golden opportunity, Rudolph cut a hole in the wall of the North Carolina factory and operated directly out of it instead of sending the treats to stores.

There are now nearly 1,400 Krispy Kreme locations worldwide. While you can find Krispy Kreme doughnuts in convenience stores and supermarkets as well as the stand-alone shops, these new treats will come in individually-wrapped snack packs, designed to be more portable than traditional doughnuts.

PopSugar asserts that Krispy Kreme's new product line will feature two different styles of treats, Doughnut Bites and Mini Crullers. The Doughnut Bites will come in Original Glazed, Chocolate, and Apple Cinnamon flavors, and will be sold in a box containing five bags with four Doughnut Bites in each. The Mini Crullers will be available in two flavors, Original Glazed and Blueberry, and be packaged in pairs. A box of Mini Curlers will contain four packages, and both new doughnut styles will retail for around $4 per box.

If you were hoping for some rarer doughnuts to be featured, you're in luck! In a statement sent to Mashed, Krispy Kreme said that they will also be releasing limited-time flavors of these new products throughout the year. The summer limited-time flavors are Strawberry Doughnut Bites and Lemon Mini Crullers, and the brand will be announcing more seasonally-inspired treats as the year goes on.

To celebrate the launch of these new Walmart exclusive products, Krispy Kreme has announced they will be hosting a virtual grand opening for fans. Krispy Kreme describes the event as a fun day featuring online games, entertainment, and surprise celebrity guest appearances, including one from celebrity Krispy Kreme franchise owner Shaquille O'Neal. The brand will also be selecting 40 participants for the chance to win a prize of unlimited doughnuts for a year.