8/17/2023 Charlotte – Krispy Kreme found itself in hot water this week after receiving a barrage of complaints over their early August 7th release of pumpkin spice donuts and changes to the pumpkin spice prepackaged boxes.

“It’s an assault on decency and common sense!” wrote Karen K. from Arkansas. “Pumpkin spice should not exist prior to the autumnal equinox, if not October 1st.”

Additionally, customers can no longer savor a full package of fan favorite pumpkin spice cake donut in the 6-count package. It now contains 3 pumpkin spice cake and 3 pumpkin spice cheesecake swirl donuts. See the 6-count assorted package below.

Adding further fuel to the fire, Krispy Kreme is now offering their pre-packaged pumpkin spice dozen with ASSORTED flavors, rather than just the classic pumpkin cake donuts as well. Customers are livid.

Rather than containing 12 classic pumpkin spice cake donuts in their dozen, Krispy Kreme’s autumnal assortment includes:

• 3 Pumpkin Spice Maple Pecan donuts
• 3 Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed donuts
• 3 Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Swirl donuts
• 3 Pumpkin Spice Cake donuts

“This is an abomination!” declared angry customer Kyle T. “When I buy a pumpkin spice DOZEN, I expect TWELVE pumpkin cake donuts. None of these newfangled varieties! Krispy Kreme has ruined pumpkin spice season!”

In response, a weary Krispy Kreme spokesperson issued a statement. “We offer our deepest apologies to Krispy Kreme pumpkin spice fans for causing such intense emotional turmoil with our premature assorted pumpkin spice donuts. We had no idea customers would be so profoundly psychologically damaged by spicing our donuts a mere 6 weeks before Fall. We will reconsider our approach next year and perhaps look into providing counseling services for customers so traumatized by seeing a variety of pumpkin donuts in early August.”

Outraged customers are threatening to take their pastry business elsewhere. An activist group called STOP: Sentient Taxpayers Outraged by Pumpkins (being spiced too early) has gathered 100,000 advocates for responsible pumpkin spice marketing. It remains to be seen what impact this grass roots movement will have on pumpkin spice donuts in the future.

BY BS

The Journalist BS

Photo Credits: Contributing Photographer