Krispy Kreme unveils "Friends"-inspired doughnuts for purchase, though availability might be elusive.
Upset fans of the famous television series and doughnut lovers alike are voiceing their displeasure on social media platforms, with comments ranging from frustrated to enraged about Krispy Kreme's exclusive collaboration with the show only available in the United Kingdom. The controversy has raised questions about the marketing strategy and decision-making process behind this popular promotional move.
Krispy Kreme, which is owned by the same parent company as CNN, sees these special promotional items as key factors in maintaining their brand's relevance and consumer interest. In a recent earnings call, CEO Josh Charlesworth stated that the doughnut company is always innovating and aiming to bring excitement to the brand, and claims that special doughnuts, such as the "Friends" flavors, help drive customers to physical stores, even during events such as Valentine's Day or eclipses.
However, some fans feel they've been neglected by Krispy Kreme's latest offering, with one commenter expressing, "I'm just confused by the decision-making process. 'Friends' was a massive U.S. show (it's big internationally as well, but still...), yet this is a UK thing." Further criticism came from various Instagram users, with comments like, "Why are the 'Friends' doughnuts only in the UK? We'd love to have them here as well!" and "Are we going to get the 'Friends' doughnuts in the US? Lots of 'Friends' fans here who would love to spend their money."
Krispy Kreme's "Friends" doughnut selection includes flavors such as "Friends," a chocolate glazed doughnut adorned with the show's iconic fountain image, "Trifle," a strawberry and custard-filled doughnut inspired by a failed dessert from a 1999 episode, "How You Doin?," modeled after Monica Geller's famous front door, and "We were on a Coffee Break," a caffe latte-flavored doughnut with the Central Perk cafe logo, reminiscent of Ross Geller's affair defense to Rachel Green.
While Krispy Kreme has launched many US-exclusive doughnut collaborations, such as the recent Southern Sweets Doughnut Collection in partnership with singer Dolly Parton, they have yet to provide clarity on whether the "Friends" collaboration will extend to the United States. A representative for Krispy Kreme declined to comment and stated, "There is nothing additional to share at this time."
Read also:
Despite the popularity of the "Friends" series globally, Krispy Kreme's exclusive collaboration with the show for their doughnut line is only available in the United Kingdom. This has sparked concern among fans in other countries, with some expressing frustration about the lack of availability in their regions.
The active discussion on social media platforms about the limited availability of these "Friends"-inspired doughnuts highlights the importance of considering a wider customer base when planning such promotional activities.
