Pokémon Doughnuts Set to Launch Tomorrow, But They’re Already Sold Out

Last week, a collaboration was announced between a well-known doughnut chain and the Pokémon franchise to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special lineup of Pokémon-themed doughnuts. This limited-time promotion features a variety of flavors inspired by iconic characters like Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, and the PokéBall, along with a unique set of doughnut holes dubbed “gold doughnut dots.” The whole idea is lighthearted and fun, and even though it’s been ages since I last visited a doughnut shop, I was genuinely excited to grab a half-dozen and some holes to share with fellow writer Zack Zwiezen for a playful review.

Naturally, when I attempted to pre-order the doughnuts over the weekend for a Tuesday pickup, they were already sold out. Classic!

Both locations in the Kansas City area had completely run out by Saturday, just a day after the promotion was revealed. I tried various order times and even attempted to pre-order nearly two weeks in advance, but they still showed as unavailable. Locations in Springfield, Missouri, and Wichita, Kansas—cities several hours away—were also sold out, along with many others even farther away. Social media posts indicate that this shortage is widespread. Fantastic!

I get that production is limited and demand is high, but come on! No availability for two weeks? And no clue if I can just walk in and snag a Bulbasaur doughnut? The doughnut chain’s website mentions, “More availability is coming when the collection launches later this week,” but what does that even mean? Should I be ready to pounce on my PC to pre-order? Or should I make a 25-minute drive to the nearest shop, hoping for a first-come-first-serve chance? Who knows! What I do know is that I’m not going to jump through hoops for some promotional doughnuts. I’ll stick to my usual coffee and oatmeal at home.

I know, they’re just doughnuts. But this situation reflects the frustrations of being a Pokémon fan these days. It’s tough to find Pokémon cards without shelling out a fortune, attending events like Pokémon Worlds is a logistical nightmare, and even basic merchandise like plushies is hard to come by. Now it seems you can’t even get a doughnut.

But don’t worry! Someone is selling the empty doughnut boxes on eBay for $65 each. The listing claims the box “combines animation art and merchandise elements, making it a must-have for fans of both Pokémon and the doughnut chain.” At least we have $65 empty boxes to look forward to!