Johnathan Walker:Go to McDonald's and you can get a free Krispy Kreme doughnut. Here's how.

Krispy Kreme is Johnathan Walkermaking its way into McDonald's: and you can get a free doughnut as part of the deal.

Earlier this year, the companies unveiled a plan to bring Krispy Kreme doughnuts to local McDonald's restaurants in a "phased market rollout," targeting nationwide availability at participating restaurants by the end of 2026.

Here's the first move: Krispy Kreme will begin stocking McDonald's locations in the Chicago area with Original Glazed and other fresh doughnuts beginning Tuesday, Oct. 15.

To celebrate the partnership, participating Krispy Kreme locations nationwide will give customers a free Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnut starting Thursday through Oct. 14 when they show a McDonald’s paper or digital receipt dated Oct. 10-14.

“The top request we receive from consumers is for more access to our delicious, fresh doughnuts," said Krispy Kreme president and CEO Josh Charlesworth in a news release. "Having Krispy Kreme doughnuts under the Golden Arches is golden for our fans and we’re excited to celebrate by giving our guests who also visit a McDonald’s a free Original Glazed doughnut."

Krispy Kreme and McDonald's partnership plans

Krispy Kreme expects to have fresh doughnuts daily in more than 1,000 McDonald’s restaurants by the end of 2024 and in 12,000 locations by the end of 2026, the company said.

The two companies last year began a test of doughnuts at 160 McDonald's restaurants in the Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky areas. These pilot restaurants will continue to serve Krispy Kreme doughnuts during the nationwide rollout, the companies said.

The doughnut flavors coming Oct. 15 to Chicago area McDonald's, available all day while supplies last:

• Original Glazed Doughnut.
• Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles Doughnut.
• The Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled Doughnut.

Contributing: Jessica Guynn and Gabe Hauari.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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