Editing Krispy Kreme (section)

== Promotions ==
[[File:NASCAR 88 Earnhardt Jr., Gordon RIR-2 (29507869642) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Krispy Kreme sponsorship on a NASCAR vehicle]]

Although based on informal advertising such as word-of-mouth, in 2006, Krispy Kreme moved into television and radio advertisements, beginning with its "Share the Love" campaign with heart-shaped doughnuts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Krispy Kreme using TV, radio to sell treats |date=February 2, 2006 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11144425 |publisher=[[MSN]] |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306103550/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11144425/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 1955, the company has offered fundraising kits for organizations to sell boxes of doughnuts; Krispy Kreme would then split the proceeds with the organizations to raise funds for various causes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tolley |first=John |date=January 22, 2023 |title=Krispy Kreme's Latest Deal Is Another Reason To Hope For Lower Gas Prices |url=https://www.tastingtable.com/829049/krispy-kremes-latest-deal-is-another-reason-to-hope-for-lower-gas-prices/ |work=[[Tasting Table]] |access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2023}}

In 2014, Krispy Kreme released a $1,685 doughnut as part of fundraising efforts for [[The Children's Trust]]. It was covered with 24-[[karat]] gold and was decorated with edible [[diamond]]s. The inside was made from [[Dom Pérignon]] champagne jelly.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-08 |title=10 Most Expensive Ice Creams In The World |url=https://thehumblerich.com/10-most-expensive-ice-creams-in-the-world/ |access-date=2019-10-29 |website=TheHumbleRich |language=en-US |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029144546/https://thehumblerich.com/10-most-expensive-ice-creams-in-the-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2021, Krispy Kreme announced that they were providing a free Original Glazed doughnut every day (except [[Thanksgiving Day]] & [[Christmas Day]]) for the rest of that year to customers in the US who could prove they have received a [[COVID-19 vaccine]].<ref>{{cite news |date=22 March 2021 |title=Krispy Kreme offers free glazed donut to those who get Covid vaccine |language=en |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/krispy-kreme-offers-free-glazed-donut-those-who-show-covid-n1261768 |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-date=April 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405015316/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/krispy-kreme-offers-free-glazed-donut-those-who-show-covid-n1261768 |url-status=live }}</ref> Multiple physicians criticized this move, with former Baltimore health commissioner [[Leana Wen]] tweeting that a person who ate a doughnut every day without making other lifestyle changes could gain 15 pounds by the end of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 24, 2021 |first=Mary |last=Meisenzahl |title=Krispy Kreme free doughnuts spark strange debate on Twitter |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/krispy-kreme-free-doughnuts-covid-vaccine-controversy-twitter-obesity-2021-3 |access-date=2021-04-07 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=March 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328181647/https://www.businessinsider.com/krispy-kreme-free-doughnuts-covid-vaccine-controversy-twitter-obesity-2021-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Others criticized the physicians: Elyse Resch, a nutrition therapist, wrote: "It's an oppression. Weight stigma, fat-shaming, [[Social stigma of obesity|fatphobia]] – it's oppressive, like every other oppression in the world. And it's so wrong. We all deserve to have satisfaction in our eating, and having a doughnut is a delicious thing."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Haupt |first=Angela |title=Krispy Kreme's 'sweet' vaccine promotion leads to bitter Twitter war |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/krispy-kreme-free-doughnut-vaccine/2021/03/25/3662706e-8d72-11eb-a6bd-0eb91c03305a_story.html |access-date=2021-04-07 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=March 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327124133/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/krispy-kreme-free-doughnut-vaccine/2021/03/25/3662706e-8d72-11eb-a6bd-0eb91c03305a_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In response to the criticisms, Krispy Kreme said, "Like many sweet treats, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are an occasional indulgence best enjoyed in moderation. And we know that's how most of our guests enjoy our doughnuts. We're certainly not asking people to get a free Original Glazed doughnut every day, we're just making it available through the end of the year, especially given that not every group is eligible to get vaccinated yet."