A highly anticipated collaboration between The Pokémon Company and Krispy Kreme, launched to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary, has resulted in widespread sell-outs even before the official launch day. The limited-time promotion featured doughnuts themed after popular Pokémon characters like Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, and Jigglypuff, alongside PokéBall-shaped doughnuts and a special set of doughnut holes.
Reports indicate that pre-orders for the doughnuts were unavailable as early as the weekend prior to the promotion's Tuesday launch. Locations across various cities, including Kansas City, Springfield, Missouri, and Wichita, Kansas, were already sold out. Social media posts suggest this lack of availability is a national issue. Krispy Kreme's website stated that "More availability is coming when the collection launches later this week," but provided no clear guidance on how fans could secure the doughnuts, leaving many uncertain whether to attempt walk-in purchases or try to secure pre-orders.
The immediate sell-out has drawn comparisons to other recent Pokémon-related merchandise shortages. Fans have expressed frustration over the difficulty in obtaining Pokémon cards, attending major events like Pokémon Worlds, and even acquiring basic merchandise such as plushes. The inability to purchase promotional doughnuts has become another example cited by fans of the ongoing challenges in accessing Pokémon-themed items.
Amidst the scarcity, empty doughnut boxes from the promotion have appeared on eBay, with some listed for as much as $65. The item descriptions highlight the boxes as collector's items, combining animation art and merchandise elements, appealing to fans of both Pokémon and Krispy Kreme.