McDonald’s (MCD) recently delivered a stronger-than-expected earnings report, but the increase in U.S. traffic and same-store sales growth isn’t what had my attention.
It was the donuts.
Specifically, Krispy Kreme (DNUT) donuts.
McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme first joined forces in October 2022 to make individual and half-dozen donuts available in the drive-thru as part of a test run in our backyard of Louisville, Kentucky…
And you can bet the LikeFolio team took part in the “test.”
For McDonald’s, sweet menu items could help attract even more shoppers, as breakfast offerings already bring in a quarter of its total U.S. sales.
But perhaps more enticing for investors, this partnership could serve as a major brand boost for Krispy Kreme.
That’s why we brought you coverage on this junk food collab in Derby City Daily in March when our database was picking up increased mention volume around DNUT.
DNUT shares have gained around 7% since that report.
Because as it turns out, there’s big money in donuts – and LikeFolio data signals more positive momentum for Krispy Kreme as it gears up for its own earnings announcement in May…
Big Money in 🍩
Moving on from just Louisville, McDonald’s expanded its testing phase in March to over 160 locations throughout Kentucky.
Having a big brand like McDonald’s on board is huge because it helps increase Krispy Kreme’s reach.
We’ll be watching closely to see if McDonald’s decides to expand its Krispy Kreme test beyond Kentucky, as DNUT shares are likely to surge on any announcements deepening the brand partnership.
But with our real-time social media data, we can already see how customers are responding to the brand as a whole.
LikeFolio data confirms strength on the consumer side in two key areas looking ahead…
Consumer Happiness Levels Are Rising ✅
Positive sentiment has increased by two points on a quarter-over-quarter basis, currently registering 74% positive:
Brand Buzz Growth Continued in Q1 ✅
DNUT Consumer Mention volume capped off the quarter ended March 31 at 7% higher on a quarter-over-quarter basis and 5% higher year-over-year:
Looking ahead, Krispy Kreme is expected to report earnings on May 11 – and I wanted to share five key things we’re watching to see if the company can keep pushing forward with its positive momentum…
5 Key Momentum Indicators to Watch from Here
No. 1: Revenue Growth
Krispy Kreme posted strong organic revenue growth of over 12% in 2022, driven by a successful omnichannel strategy and premium offerings for celebrations and holidays.
No. 2: Special Event Positioning
Krispy Kreme sold a record 1.63 billion doughnuts globally in 2022, setting a company record.
No. 3: Elevated Community Engagement
Fundraising efforts resulted in more than $40 million raised globally in 2022 for local communities.
No. 4: Digital Adoption
In the fourth quarter, Krispy Kreme grew e-commerce revenue by more than 20% from the previous year.
No. 5: Cookie Success
Insomnia Cookies, a subsidiary of Krispy Kreme, also had a strong fourth quarter, with 24% revenue growth driven by strong same-shop sales and very high productivity from the 2022 class of new shops.
The company plans to accelerate Insomnia’s growth from its current 231 shops, with a goal of opening 100 new locations per year.
And let’s just say… folks are happy about it.
Until next time,
Andy Swan
Co-Founder
🍟 For more consumer insights on McDonald’s and the rest of the fast-food industry, check this out: Strapped for Cash and Wanting Convenience, Consumers Turning to Fast Food Create Opportunity for Investors