If you’ve got a sweet tooth and a soft spot for nostalgia, Krispy Kreme is serving up a treat you won’t want to miss.

In a delightful collision of pop culture and pastry, Krispy Kreme is celebrating Pac-Man’s 45th anniversary with a limited-edition doughnut collection—and yes, they’re giving away thousands of free doughnuts to mark the occasion!



Whether you remember the days of dropping quarters into arcade machines or you just love a good glazed doughnut, this is one event that’s sure to bring a smile to your face (and maybe a little sugar rush, too).

Here’s everything you need to know to get in on the fun—and the freebies.

Pac-Man Turns 45: A Sweet Collaboration
It’s hard to believe, but Pac-Man—the little yellow chomper who’s been gobbling up dots and dodging ghosts since 1980—is turning 45 this year.

To celebrate, Krispy Kreme has teamed up with Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. to create a special Pac-Man-inspired doughnut collection.



The Krispy Kreme x Pac-Man Collection features three brand-new doughnuts, each inspired by the iconic game:

• Pac-Man Party Doughnut: An Original Glazed doughnut filled with yellow buttercream icing, topped with festive sprinkles and a Pac-Man piece.
• Team Ghost Doughnut: An unglazed shell doughnut filled with chocolate-flavored cream, dipped in black icing, decorated with a Pac-Man maze, and topped with a Team Ghosts piece.
• Strawberry Power Berry Doughnut: An unglazed shell doughnut filled with strawberry-flavored cream, dipped in red icing, and finished with white sprinkles and a green leaf icing.

These playful pastries are available in a custom Pac-Man game dozen box, making them perfect for sharing with family, friends, or anyone who remembers the thrill of chasing high scores.

In earlier news: Mark your calendar: Free donuts are coming on May 7, and here’s how to get yours



How to Score Your Free Doughnut
Now, for the part everyone’s been waiting for: the freebies!

Krispy Kreme is giving away a whopping 45,000 free Original Glazed doughnuts from May 12 to May 18. Here’s how you can snag yours:

• When: May 12–18, during “hot light hours” (7–9 am and 5–7 pm), or whenever the famous Hot Light is on at your local shop.
• Where: Participating Krispy Kreme locations, in-shop or via drive-thru.
• How: Just show up! There’s a limit of one free doughnut per guest per day.

It’s as simple as that—no purchase necessary, no secret code, just a little bit of Pac-Man magic and a lot of Krispy Kreme generosity.



More Ways to Play (and Eat!)
The Pac-Man fun doesn’t stop with free doughnuts. Krispy Kreme is rolling out a few more sweet deals and surprises:

• Pac-Dots for All: From May 12–14, Krispy Kreme’s bite-sized Doughnut Dots will transform into “Pac-Dots.” Buy any dozen doughnuts at regular price and get a free 10-count of Pac-Dots—perfect for sharing or snacking on the go.

Also read: Big changes are coming to Burger King—and you might notice them soon!

• Pac-Man’s Birthday Bash: On May 22, Pac-Man’s official birthday, you can score a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for just 25 cents with the purchase of any dozen at regular price. That’s right—25 cents for a dozen! (Limit one per customer, while supplies last.)

And if you can’t make it to a Krispy Kreme shop, don’t worry. The Pac-Man doughnuts are also available for pickup or delivery via the Krispy Kreme app and website, and select retailers will have fresh 6-packs delivered daily.


Did you play Pac-Man back in the day? Are you planning to try the new doughnuts, or have you already scored your freebie? Maybe you have a favorite Krispy Kreme memory to share! We’d love to hear your stories—drop a comment below and let’s reminisce together!