Disaster Krispy Kreme is rolling out ‘Friends’-themed doughnuts. But you probably can’t get any

https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/23/business/krispy-kreme-friends-themed-doughnuts/index.html

https://lite.cnn.com/2024/06/23/business/krispy-kreme-friends-themed-doughnuts/index.html

https://archive.ph/mTAsx

By Erika Tulfo, CNN
Updated: 1:00 AM EDT, Sun June 23, 2024


Krispy Kreme releases ‘Friends’-themed doughnuts as UK exclusives.

Krispy Kreme’s newest doughnuts celebrate the 30th anniversary of the sitcom “Friends.” But while the show was set in New York, the doughnuts aren’t for sale in NYC – or anywhere else in the US. The new flavors are available only in the UK and Ireland.

The decision has annoyed fans of the show (and of the doughy treats), with social media awash in comments ranging from annoyed to flat-out angry. “Friends” was produced by Warner Bros., which shares the same parent company as CNN.

The kerfuffle underscores how these kinds of promotional items can bring extra attention and publicity to companies, especially as Krispy Kreme said in a recent earnings call that the doughnut maker is trying to keep its brand fresh for consumers.

“We’re constantly innovating, constantly bringing excitement to the brand, and we’re fresh, fresh daily,” said CEO Josh Charlesworth on a first-quarter earnings call in May, according to a transcript made available by FactSet. Special doughnuts — like the “Friends” flavors now — helped drive consumers to stores, he said, such as Valentine’s Day or eclipse-themed promotions.

But fans had a few words for Krispy Kreme on that score.

“This is where I am just confused by the decision making process,” noted one commenter under an Instagram post by “Snackolator“ about the release. “Friends was a huge US show (I know it is big internationally as well, but come on), yet this is a UK thing.” CNN reached out to the commenter but did not get a response.

On Krispy Kreme’s own Instagram account, fans have even commented on posts unrelated to the “Friends” offer. One fan, @moniica__garcia, commented under a post about new doughnut-hole flavors in the US. “Are we going to get the Friends donuts in the US? Lots of Friends fans here who would love to spend their money.”

Another Instagram user, Ashley Smith, commented under a different unrelated post, “Why the friends donuts only in the UK?! We’d love to have them here as well!”

The doughnut selection includes “Friends,” a chocolate glazed doughnut topped with an image of the fountain in the show’s opening credits. “Trifle” is a strawberry and custard filled doughnut that references a 1999 episode about a failed dessert. “How You Doin?” echoes Monica Geller’s (played by Courtney Cox) iconic front door. Then there’s “We were on a Coffee Break,” a caffe latte flavored doughnut that includes the “Central Perk” cafe logo. It echoes Ross Geller’s (David Schwimmer) defense to Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) of his brief affair with a girl at the copy shop.

Krispy Kreme has launched its own share of US-exclusive doughnuts, including its most recent collaboration with singer Dolly Parton, the Southern Sweets Doughnut Collection, announced in May.

A representative for Krispy Kreme declined to comment on whether the “Friends” collaboration would be made available in the US and told CNN there was “nothing additional to share at this time.”

 

[Thumb Butler]

I feel for the poor consoomers!

 

[The Hardest R]

This feels like an astroturfed campaign to build up hype to where they have “no choice” but to bring them to the United States.

 

[GigaChad]

Nice Ad, how much did cnn get paid to publish this trash

 

[Diana Moon Glampers]

I'm only in if the trifle one is also stuffed with ground beef.

 

[OrionBalls]

Krispy Kreme and Friends two highly overrated things. They belong together.

I'm only in if the trifle one is also stuffed with ground beef.

You're describing two thirds of a Luther.

 

[Overly Serious]

Friends was a rip-off of Living Single which, imo, genuinely had better jokes. Also, Kyle + Max > Ross + Rachel.

 

[Rei is Shit.]

We’re constantly innovating

Innovation is just a buzzword at this point. Its lost all semblance of meaning.

 

[AssignedEva]

This article seems to frame it like Mr Kreme sat down and said "do not sell the Friends donuts in the USA!" when it's clearly that the UK arm of Krispy Kreme decided to launch these donuts, in much the same way the Thai arm of Krispy Kreme has mozzarella cheese donuts with no input from America.

 

[The Mass Shooter Ron Soye]

Innovation is just a buzzword at this point. Its lost all semblance of meaning.

I don't know what kind of innovation we could expect of Krispy Kreme Korner. A donut that extends your lifespan? A donut that tastes good?

 

[The Cunting Death]

I haven't had bakery fresh donuts in eons. I'm kind of in the mood for some.

 

[BulkForceFive]

This article seems to frame it like Mr Kreme sat down and said "do not sell the Friends donuts in the USA!" when it's clearly that the UK arm of Krispy Kreme decided to launch these donuts, in much the same way the Thai arm of Krispy Kreme has mozzarella cheese donuts with no input from America.

Odd, was Friends mega-super-huge over there? You'd think America would've come up with the idea first.

 

[AssignedEva]

Odd, was Friends mega-super-huge over there? You'd think America would've come up with the idea first.

It was massive - originally showing on Friday nights and it became a selling point to E4 when it first launched that if you paid for the channel you could see the episodes a week before terrestrial TV. It was then continually on as repeats up until about 10 years ago (both in the morning and then throughout the day), and is still one of the most streamed series in the UK. A Friends boxset was not uncommon to see around people's houses. It was probably the most popular American TV show over here by some margin (compare it to Seinfeld, which most people in the UK have heard of but few have actually watched) and I think that's actually why Ross ended up with an English girlfriend for a bit.

 

[Troonos]

Donuts and Friends both suck, so this works.

 

[The Cunting Death]

Donuts and Friends both suck, so this works.

Donuts are alright for once in awhile but yeah I don't care for Friends.

I'm more a Fresh Prince guy anyway.

 

[Catch The Rainbow]

They did the same thing with Barbie promotional donuts that were pink. For some reason the donuts were only available in the Philippines.

 

[indigoisviolet]

Do the first four taste fresh and the rest stale and repetitive?

 

[Overly Serious]

It was massive - originally showing on Friday nights and it became a selling point to E4 when it first launched that if you paid for the channel you could see the episodes a week before terrestrial TV. It was then continually on as repeats up until about 10 years ago (both in the morning and then throughout the day), and is still one of the most streamed series in the UK. A Friends boxset was not uncommon to see around people's houses. It was probably the most popular American TV show over here by some margin (compare it to Seinfeld, which most people in the UK have heard of but few have actually watched) and I think that's actually why Ross ended up with an English girlfriend for a bit.

First time I became aware of Friends, I was round some mates' house and we're all sitting around and then someone suddenly yelled "It's time for Friends!" and they all sat down to watch TV so I'm sitting there amongst the Midwitch Cuckoos them all and this theme tune comes on singing "So no-one told you life was gonna be this way," and everybody about me suddenly claps in unison. Nearly leapt out my skin.

So yeah, you're totally right. Though I remember its popularity being more girl-led than guy-led. Anecdotally.

For American comedy I far preferred Frasier which had genuinely sophisticated writing. And for a sitcom of that nature, Living Singles was actually significantly better and came out the year before Friends and I believe was copied by Friends. I think you can attribute a lot of what was good about Living Singles to T C Carson who some might know as the VA of a character named Kratos in a game series. Dude had a voice like gravel dipped in honey. Anyway, he was eventually fired largely being due to the one who spoke up on behalf of the cast so far as I can see. But he also pushed back against the producers a lot because they wanted the show to be four strong women and the two guys to be "buffoons" (his words) which he objected to and pushed them into making the male characters equal to the female ones and not clowns. Contrast that with Friends where you have Ross (cowardly and stupid), Joey (stupid) and Chandler (Cowardly and neurotic).

He talks a bit about it here:

He also talks a bit about African American women having low standards and African American dudes today not having standards because they're not held to them. His character slept with women frequently but due to him avoided being turned into a caricature. Also, as remarked, the Love-Hate between Kyle + Max waaaaay more believable and funny than the relationships on Friends.

 

[Pissmaster]

Oh no! Now I can't consoom product and become even fatter.

 

[Astyanax Skamandrios]

Can someone please explain why Krispy Kreme is such a big deal? Many moons ago, they came to the neck of the woods I was residing in at the time and people camped out overnight to get some on opening day. Roommates kid included, he saved us a few, I tried one. Meh. There's a mom & pop donut place in town that puts Krispy Kreme Krap to shame. I'd knock little kids and the elderly down to get some.