Krispy Kreme launches Mini Doughnuts, offers a freebie every Monday

Krispy Kreme’s next “big thing” is actually small.

With New Year’s resolutions still fresh, the North Carolina-based company this week announced the launch of a new permanent menu item, designed to help fans “stay on track” — Mini Doughnuts.

The smaller doughnuts are now available at participating locations nationwide, and one variety, the Original Glazed Mini, has less than 100 calories.

“Too many people bail on their New Year’s resolutions before they are even halfway through January. That’s no good. Sometime a mini-indulgence, or cheat, is all you need to help you stick with it,” Dave Skena, the company’s chief marketing officer, said in a news release. “So, we miniaturized our most popular doughnuts.”

The new doughnuts are miniature versions of Original Glazed, Chocolate Iced Glazed, Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles and Strawberry Iced with Sprinkles.

“To help fuel the cheat and reward fans for sticking with their New Year’s resolutions,” Krispy Kreme said in the release it is hosting “Mini Mondays” every Monday in January with a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Free Mini Doughnuts will be given away at participating locations, including Chicago’s State Street store and sites in Hillside (110 S. Mannheim Rd.), Evergreen Park (9150 S. Western Ave.), Homewood (7815 S. Halsted) and Elk Grove Village (412 E. Devon).

There’s a limit of one freebie per person per day.

Last year, Krispy Kreme launched a Chocolate Glaze Collection in January and also suggested dieters, “Don’t Quit, Cheat Sweet.”

New members of Krispy Kreme’s loyalty program get a free doughnut for signing up at www.krispykreme.com.

Read more at usatoday.com.