Krispy Kreme and Harry Potter: Phenomenal Fast Food Fandom Collaborations

Pop culture food collaborations have become a surprising phenomenon. Limited-run products unite fandoms with unique flavors, sparking viral moments anytime brands team up with celebrities or franchises. And a very recent food collaboration announcement has Harry Potter fans frothing at the mouth.

Krispy Kreme’s newly announced “Houses of Hogwarts” collection is a perfect example of this collab trend at work. Launching nationwide on August 18, 2025, this highly anticipated launch will also involve special events, giveaways, and even a Universal Studios trip contest. But what other food and fandom collaborations have occurred over the years, and what makes this Krispy Kreme venture worth all the hype?

247 Tempo brings you some of the most iconic, limited-run fast food and fandom collabs you'll likely regret missing out on, as well as the latest Krispy Kreme info for all the Harry Potter fans out there. Sources for this piece include Business Wire (Krispy Kreme’s investor release), Houston Chronicle, People, and Southern Living.

• Year of collab: 2025
  Krispy Kreme partnered with the Wizarding World and Harry Potter franchise to create a themed collection celebrating the four Hogwarts houses. Distinct flavors and designs are tied to Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Fans can also try a Sorting Hat doughnut with a surprise filling that 'sorts' them into a house. Debuting on August 18th, these treats aren't the only promos planned for this collab.

• Year of collab: 2025
  Beyond the themed treats, the brand is hosting special fan days to draw customers into stores. On August 23rd, fans wearing Hogwarts house colors can claim a free Original Glazed doughnut. Additionally, a giveaway launching on September 1st offers a trip to Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter, making this collab one that can't be missed by fans of this franchise.

• Year of collab: 2020
  A $6 meal featuring a Quarter Pounder with cheese, fries with BBQ sauce, and a Sprite took over social media in 2020. The collaboration with Travis Scott went viral, with customers ordering using the phrase 'Cactus Jack sent me.' Some locations even faced shortages due to overwhelming demand.

• Year of collab: 2021
  The BTS Meal rolled out in nearly 50 countries, offering Chicken McNuggets with two sauces inspired by South Korea’s unique menu. Fans lined up around the world, causing some sauces to sell out within hours. Branded packaging became a collectible item, and the promotion remains one of McDonald’s most successful limited-time offers.

• Year of collab: 2023
  This viral TikTok sensation combined pumpkin Munchkins with a creamy blended base. Ice Spice’s endorsement added loads of music fandom appeal and drew younger customers to Dunkin'. The drink’s sweetness sparked plenty of online debates, but its playful concept kept it trending for weeks afterward.

• Year of collab: 2021
  With Megan Thee Stallion’s help, Popeyes introduced a sweet and spicy sauce for both its chicken sandwiches and nuggets. Branded merchandise and a charitable component accompanied the anticipated release. The flavor balanced heat with Popeyes’ signature boldness, and it's been a sauce that's remained highly requested ever since.

• Year of collab: 2019
  KFC experimented by topping its fried chicken sandwich with Cheetos and a cheesy sauce. Customers were divided about the taste, but social media reactions added to the buzz, encouraging plenty of trial purchases. While it never became a menu staple, the collaboration showed how novelty can easily drive traffic.

• Year of collab: 2020
  A peanut butter ice cream loaded with pretzel swirls and fudge brownies was launched by Ben & Jerry's alongside Netflix’s branding. Its packaging leaned into streaming culture with playful graphics. The sweet and salty combo earned lasting fan loyalty. It still resurfaces in freezer aisles due to demand.

• Year of collab: 2021
  Lady Gaga fans rushed to collect pink and green Oreos inspired by her 'Chromatica' album. Embossed designs were tied directly to the album’s visuals, which is why many fans bought them as memorabilia rather than snacks.

• Year of collab: 2019
  For Stranger Things Season 3, Burger King flipped its Whopper, serving it upside down. Retro packaging tied the idea back to the show’s 1980s setting. Fans shared countless photos online, fueling the buzz. While simple, it was an incredibly effective thematic collab.

• Year of collab: 2012
  By merging Doritos flavor with their iconic crispy taco shells, Taco Bell created one of its most successful product launches ever. The blend of familiarity and novelty struck a chord with customers. Early sales broke records for the chain, and its ongoing menu presence shows this collab's truly delicious staying power.

• Year of collab: 2000
  McDonald’s Singapore caused a craze by pairing meals with Hello Kitty plush toys. Themed costumes and limited runs led to long lines, and some toys became collector’s items, fetching high resale prices. The campaign remains a marketing legend in the region and a collab many are clamoring for in other countries to this day.

• Year of collab: 2021
  A seasonal Caramel Latte was renamed to celebrate the re-release of Taylor Swift’s 'Red' album. Fans embraced the subtle tie-in, posting their orders online and creating a trending topic across platforms. The drink also boosted Starbucks’ seasonal sales.

• Year of collab: 2020
  Pringles recreated the flavors of Wendy’s signature bacon burger in chip form. Smoky, cheesy, and meaty notes brought burger fans to snack aisles. Cross-branding gave both companies exposure, but the flavor slowly faded from shelves once the limited run was over.

• Year of collab: 2021
  Special sundaes based on 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' arrived during the game’s popularity peak. Mix-ins and toppings reflected multiple in-game items. Stores even offered collectible spoons and cups, taking advantage of a pandemic-driven gaming boom.

• Year of collab: 2023
  Fashion labels Levi's and Ganni teamed with Shake Shack for burgers and co-branded apparel. Pop-up events in major cities added to the exclusivity, with menu items including custom sauces inspired by each brand. The mix of fashion and food culture proved to be a surprising hit and one other brands are attempting to replicate.

• Year of collab: 2022
  Marvel superheroes inspired a line of HelloFresh meal kits aimed at families. Recipe cards featured collectible artwork, and cooking became an interactive tie-in to this movie fandom. Parents praised it for making dinner both fun and themed.

• Year of collab: 2020
  Nestlé Japan combined KitKat’s classic chocolate with Tokyo Banana’s sponge cake style. The result was a banana cream-filled wafer covered in chocolate. Elegant packaging appealed to tourists, which is just one reason why it quickly became a sought-after souvenir.

• Year of collab: 2022
  Partnering with the famous YouTube series 'Hot Ones,' Shake Shack added spicy burgers and fries to its menu. Sauces matched heat levels from the show, and fans posted reaction videos trying them. The tie-in was praised for its authenticity to the series.

• Year of collab: 2024
  Doritos introduced a pancake-flavored chip in partnership with IHOP. While the sweet-and-savory profile intrigued snackers, it was ultimately deemed an odd collaboration. However, the limited availability encouraged impulse buys, while social media ensured it became a quirky talking point.

• Year of collab: 2025
  Spicy-sweet Dunkin' doughnut holes dusted in Frank’s RedHot seasoning divided plenty of online opinions. Some found them addictive, while others were shocked by the flavor mix; regardless, it attracted adventurous eaters and inspired plenty of taste-test videos.

• Year of collab: 2021
  A pastel and cola-flavored Peeps marshmallow turned heads in grocery aisles. Initially launched as a limited giveaway, it returned for retail sale, causing collectors to seek out the novelty packaging. Reviews ranged from delight to disbelief, and you can still catch these Peeps in stores if you're lucky.

• Year of collab: 2019
  This peach-mango soda became a KFC-exclusive offering that still exists today. Its sweet citrus profile paired perfectly with fried chicken. The exclusivity drove customers to KFC just to try it, but KFC couldn't say goodbye to this refreshing, unique drink.