Krispy Kreme World Kindness Day Free Dozen Doughnuts Promotion Details

Jan. 17, 2026, 10:36 a.m.

Tags: day kind world

Krispy Kreme annually participates in World Kindness Day by offering a promotional giveaway of doughnuts to customers at participating locations across the United States. The promotion, which takes place on November 13th, has evolved in structure over recent years, shifting from a completely free offer to a "buy one, get one" model. The initiative is designed to encourage sharing and acts of kindness among consumers. According to the company, World Kindness Day serves as a reminder of the positive impact small gestures can have on people's lives.

The promotion is available in-shop, via drive-thru, and through digital channels such as the Krispy Kreme website and mobile app. While the core offer has remained consistent regarding the date and the type of doughnut involved—the Original Glazed dozen—specific eligibility requirements and redemption methods have varied slightly depending on the year and the source of information. Consumers seeking to participate must understand the specific rules for the current year, including purchase requirements, limits per customer, and participating locations.

History and Evolution of the Promotion

Krispy Kreme began celebrating World Kindness Day with free doughnuts in 2023. According to historical data regarding the promotion, the initial giveaways in 2023 and 2024 allowed customers to receive a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts completely free of charge with no purchase necessary. During those first two years, the first 500 guests at each participating shop could claim a free dozen.

However, the promotion structure changed in 2025. Sources indicate that the 2025 iteration of the event required customers to purchase a dozen doughnuts at regular price to qualify for a free dozen of Original Glazed doughnuts. This shift from a no-purchase-necessary giveaway to a "buy one, get one" (BOGO) free offer was noted by deal analysts as a less enticing deal compared to previous years, though it still provided significant value for consumers intending to purchase doughnuts.

The event is part of a broader company strategy to celebrate considerate holidays. Krispy Kreme has also historically celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Day, which falls in February, by handing out free Original Glazed doughnuts. The World Kindness Day event is expected to continue as an annual tradition, with the next event scheduled for November 13, 2026.

Redemption Methods and Eligibility

To redeem the World Kindness Day offer, customers must visit participating Krispy Kreme locations in the United States. The promotion is valid in-shop and at drive-thrus. For customers preferring digital transactions, the offer is also available for pickup or delivery via the Krispy Kreme website and mobile app.

In the 2025 promotion, customers were required to use a specific promo code, "BOGOFREE," when ordering online or through the app to receive the free dozen. The offer was limited to two dozens per guest (meaning one purchase and one free dozen, or potentially two of each depending on interpretation of the limit, though typically "two treats" refers to the total number of dozens involved in the transaction). The promotion was designated as "while supplies last," indicating that inventory at individual locations could run out.

There is no indication in the source material that membership in a loyalty program or app download is strictly required for in-store or drive-thru purchases, though digital redemption requires the app or website account. The offer is strictly limited to participating U.S. locations; international locations may have separate or no promotions, though the source material notes that Krispy Kreme operates in 40 countries and some may observe the day.

Doughnut Offerings and Menu Details

The primary incentive for the World Kindness Day promotion is a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts. However, the promotion often coincides with the introduction of new menu items, allowing customers to purchase a diverse selection of doughnuts to qualify for the free Original Glazed dozen.

In 2025, Krispy Kreme introduced a new lineup of permanent doughnut flavors. These flavors were eligible to be included in the "purchase any dozen" requirement. The new flavors introduced at that time included:

Original Glazed Pumpkin Spice: An Original Glazed doughnut topped with brownie batter-flavored buttercreme, sprinkled with brownie crunch and rainbow sprinkles.
Maple Iced: An Original Glazed doughnut dipped in maple-flavored icing.
Chocolate Fudge Brownie: An Original Glazed doughnut topped with brownie batter-flavored buttercreme, sprinkled with brownie crunch and rainbow sprinkles.
Biscoff Cookie Butter Kreme: An unglazed doughnut filled with Biscoff Cookie Butter-flavored Kreme, dipped in cookie butter, and topped with Biscoff cookie pieces.
New York Cheesecake Filled: An unglazed doughnut filled with rich cheesecake Kreme, dipped in white icing, and topped with golden graham-flavored crunch.

The "build-your-own dozen" option was explicitly included in the promotion terms, allowing customers to mix and match these new flavors (and existing ones) to trigger the free Original Glazed dozen.

Corporate Messaging and Brand Intent

Krispy Kreme utilizes World Kindness Day to reinforce its brand image centered on generosity and community. Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme’s global chief brand officer, emphasized that the day is a reminder to make a positive impact through small gestures like sharing a sweet treat. The company hopes that the free dozens given away will enable and inspire many dozens of small acts of kindness.

Similarly, Alison Holder, Krispy Kreme’s chief brand and product officer, stated that the company believes in the power of kindness and the joy that comes from sharing. The marketing strategy encourages customers to share their doughnuts with friends, co-workers, family, or teachers. The company actively encourages the use of social media to share how customers are spreading kindness, suggesting the use of hashtags such as #KrispyKreme and tagging @krispykreme.

Consumer Strategy and Recommendations

Consumers looking to maximize the value of the World Kindness Day promotion should plan their visit early in the day. During the initial years of the promotion (2023 and 2024), the offer was limited to the first 500 guests per location. While the 2025 terms did not explicitly restate the "first 500 guests" limitation in all reports, the "while supplies last" clause suggests that arriving early is prudent to ensure availability, particularly at high-traffic locations.

For those utilizing the digital ordering option, ensuring the app is updated and the promo code "BOGOFREE" is entered correctly is essential to secure the discount. Customers should verify the participation of their local shop, as not all locations may participate in every national promotion, although the sources indicate it is available at participating U.S. locations.

The promotion is particularly valuable for consumers planning to host gatherings or distribute treats in workplace or educational settings, as it effectively doubles the quantity of doughnuts for the cost of one dozen. By purchasing the new lineup of flavors, consumers can also sample the latest menu additions at a reduced effective cost per doughnut.

Conclusion

Krispy Kreme’s World Kindness Day promotion is a recurring annual event that offers consumers a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for free, typically with the purchase of another dozen. Since its inception in 2023, the event has served as a vehicle for the brand to promote goodwill and sharing. While the promotion shifted from a no-purchase-necessary giveaway in the first two years to a purchase-required BOGO deal in 2025, it remains a significant opportunity for consumers to acquire high-quality doughnuts at a discount. The offer is redeemable in-store, via drive-thru, and through digital platforms using a specific promo code. The event coincides with the introduction of new menu items, allowing customers to explore new flavors while participating in the celebration of kindness.