By Jacob Miller | Aug 18, 2026
This marks the first time Krispy Kreme and Pokemon have joined forces in the United States, rolling out a themed donut lineup to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary. Alongside the new treats, the brand is running a special giveaway that lets fans walk away with a donut at zero cost.
How to Claim the Free Donut
The offer is simple but only available for a single day. On August 22, anyone who walks into a Krispy Kreme store wearing Pokemon-branded clothing or accessories can claim one glazed donut, completely free, with nothing else required for purchase. Each customer is limited to one free donut, and this deal doesn't extend to the new Pokemon-themed donuts themselves. That said, shoppers might still find those specialty donuts on shelves during their visit, assuming stock hasn't already run out, since Pokemon merchandise has a track record of disappearing fast.
For anyone unfamiliar with the new lineup, Krispy Kreme has introduced six donuts inspired by fan-favorite characters. Pikachu comes as a yellow lemon Kreme-filled donut, Charmander is a chocolate and marshmallow combination, Squirtle features a cotton candy buttercreme, Jigglypuff is filled with strawberry buttercreme, Bulbasaur is topped with vanilla icing, and there's also one shaped after the classic Poke Ball. Because demand for Pokemon products tends to be intense, Krispy Kreme opened pre-orders ahead of time so fans could reserve a box before supplies ran low. Many locations have already sold through their pre-order stock, but the company says fresh inventory will land on August 19, the official start date of the collaboration.
Where Else to Find the Pokemon Donuts
Fans hoping to score the free donut shouldn't have much trouble finding something to wear. Pokemon clothing has been widely available for years, from official merchandise released by The Pokemon Company and Nintendo to fashion collaborations with brands like Adidas and Uniqlo. Retailers such as Target have also carried Pokemon-themed apparel and accessories, so there's a good chance many fans already own something they can throw on for the occasion.
For those without a nearby Krispy Kreme store, the donuts will still be within reach through select grocery partners, including Walmart, Kroger, Publix, and Stater Brothers. The catch here is that grocery store shoppers won't get to pick individual flavors. Instead, they'll find a fixed collection box featuring the Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Charmander, and Poke Ball donuts only. Fans hoping to get their hands on the Bulbasaur or Squirtle varieties will need to visit an actual Krispy Kreme shop. Given how quickly Pokemon collectibles tend to sell out, anyone interested is better off acting early rather than waiting around.
