The hype is real, folks. Last week, The Pokémon Company and Krispy Kreme announced a collaboration that had us all drooling – a limited-edition line of Pokémon-themed doughnuts to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary. Featuring designs inspired by Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, and even the iconic Poké Ball, alongside adorable “gold doughnut dots,” this promotion promised a sweet treat for fans. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a fun, nostalgic experience has turned into a frustrating lesson in supply and demand.
The Great Doughnut Drought
I, along with fellow Kotaku writer Zack Zwiezen, was genuinely excited to try these doughnuts. We envisioned a silly little review, sharing the sugary goodness with our readers. However, when I attempted to pre-order my half-dozen Pokémon delights for pickup next Tuesday, I encountered a harsh reality: they were already sold out. And not just at one location.
Both Krispy Kremes in the Kansas City area were completely wiped out by Saturday, just a day after the announcement. I tried every trick in the book – different order times, different days, even attempting to pre-order nearly two weeks in advance (as far as the system would allow). Nothing worked. The same story unfolded in Springfield, Missouri, and Wichita, Kansas, cities several hours away. Social media is flooded with similar reports from across the country. It seems this “limited-edition” promotion was too limited.
I understand that producing these themed doughnuts requires a certain level of effort, and high demand is expected. But selling out completely within 24 hours? And offering no clear path to purchase for weeks? That’s just disappointing. Krispy Kreme’s website vaguely promises “More availability is coming when the collection launches later this week,” but what does that even mean? Do we need to camp out in front of stores, refreshing the website every five minutes, hoping to snag a Bulbasaur doughnut before it vanishes into thin air?
Honestly, I’m not willing to put forth that much effort for some promotional doughnuts. I’ll stick to my usual coffee and oatmeal. But this whole situation feels symbolic of a larger issue: being a Pokémon fan in the modern era often comes with a hefty price tag.
You can’t get your hands on Pokémon cards without paying exorbitant prices, attending Pokémon Worlds is a logistical nightmare, basic merchandise like plushes and other items are marked up significantly, and now you can’t even reliably purchase a themed doughnut. It’s enough to make you want to give up!
Of course, there’s always the secondary market. Someone on eBay is currently selling the empty doughnut boxes (doughnuts not included) for $65 apiece. The item description claims the box “combines animation art and merchandise elements, making it a must-have for fans of both Pokémon and Krispy Kreme.” So, if you’re desperate to own a piece of this fleeting collaboration, that’s an option. But I think I’ll pass. Maybe next time, The Pokémon Company and Krispy Kreme will learn from this experience and ensure there are enough doughnuts to satisfy the demand.
Source: Kotaku
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