Krispy Kreme discount: get 12 doughnuts for roughly the cost of one gallon of gas

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• How the promotion works
• What this means for shoppers

Krispy Kreme is rolling out a limited-time promotion that ties the cost of its signature glazed doughnuts to the national price of gasoline — a move the company says aims to ease some pressure on shoppers amid high fuel costs. The offer begins April 13 and runs through May 4 at participating locations, with price and availability varying by store.

How the promotion works

The chain will calculate the promotional price each week by using the national average gas price published by AAA on the Monday before the deal. That figure becomes the price for a dozen Original Glaze doughnuts the following Wednesday.

Krispy Kreme framed the campaign as a lighthearted way to offset the sting of rising pump prices. Chief Marketing Officer Dave Skena said the program is intended to give customers a small, affordable treat during a stressful period for household budgets.

• Dates: Begins April 13 and ends May 4.
• Price setting: Based on AAA’s national average gas price pulled the Monday before each promotional Wednesday.
• Product: A dozen Original Glaze doughnuts.
• Purchase limits: Customers may buy up to two dozen at the promotional price per transaction.
• Where: Participating Krispy Kreme shops only; Times Square locations are excluded.
• How to buy: In-store, drive-thru, online, or via the chain’s app.

What this means for shoppers

With gasoline costs still high in many regions, the offer gives consumers a simple way to compare a discretionary purchase to fuel spending. Depending on the AAA average in a given week, the promotional dozen could be cheaper than the usual menu price in some markets — and in others it may be similar.

Because the price is tied to a national figure, local variations in gas costs won’t change the promotion for a particular store that week. Customers should check Krispy Kreme’s store locator online to confirm participation before heading out.

While the campaign is short-lived, it underscores a broader trend of retailers experimenting with creative pricing and promotions as households contend with inflation and fluctuating fuel bills.