Krispy Kreme's CEO defends its vaccine promotion, saying people 'don't have to' get free doughnuts if they don't want

• Krispy Kreme is giving out free doughnuts to people with COVID-19 vaccine cards.
• Krispy Kreme's CEO responded to criticism of the promotion and its potential negative health effects.
• Speaking with Yahoo Finance Live on Friday, Mike Tattersfield said the promo is about "generosity."

Krispy Kreme is giving away a free glazed doughnut to anyone who shows their COVID-19 vaccination card.

The promotion, which went into effect Monday, is valid through the end of 2021. The offer also doesn't limit how many doughnuts a vaccinated person could get - so those with a vaccine card could potentially show up and get a Krispy Kreme glazed pastry every day.

The promotion sparked criticism on social media - especially from doctors and others with large followings on Twitter - pointing out the negative health effects of doughnuts.

However, as Krispy Kreme CEO Mike Tattersfield told Yahoo Finance Live on Friday, the company's offer is not encouraging or asking people to get a doughnut every single day.

"We're a sweet treat company, [and] if folks don't want to visit a doughnut shop, they don't have to," Tattersfield said.

Tattersfield continued: "Folks that want to get a vaccine, if they decide to combine a Krispy Kreme pickup [for] a doughnut, they can. That's how we look at it ... generosity."

Tattersfield also told Yahoo Finance Live that when Krispy Kreme launched a promotion in March 2020 to give healthcare workers free doughnuts, the company's offer was appreciated among many communities.

"I drop off a lot of doughnuts to the healthcare system. They're very appreciative, given the days that they have to work. People are always looking for a little sweet treat break. It's OK," Tattersfield said.

Tattersfield's comments echo a statement Krispy Kreme provided to Insider on Wednesday.

"Like many sweet treats, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are an occasional indulgence best enjoyed in moderation. And we know that's how most of our guests enjoy our doughnuts," the company said. "We're certainly not asking people to get a free Original Glazed doughnut every day, we're just making it available through the end of the year, especially given that not every group is eligible to get vaccinated yet."

Krispy Kreme Chief Marketing Officer Dave Skena previously told Insider's Mary Meisenzahl that Krispy Kreme isn't requiring its employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

However, it wants to "encourage [employees] and make sure nothing is standing in the way" and is offering workers up to four hours of paid time off to get both doses.

Representatives for Krispy Kreme did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.