[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] Shares of Krispy Kreme, the operator of the Krispy Kreme donut franchise, soared nearly 40 percent, marking a 52-week high. The news of strengthening the partnership with McDonald's was a positive factor.

Krispy Kreme said the partnership will sell doughnuts at all McDonald's stores in the United States. Krispy Kreme plans to start selling in the second half of this year and complete the expansion to stores nationwide by the end of next year.

As of the end of last year, Krispy and McDonald's US stores were 7,372 and 13,449, respectively.

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