Steal This Distribution Hack From Krispy Kreme (No Ads, No Tech, No Problem)

🌟 Publisher's Note

Welcome to the first edition of Prime Marketing Strategies - where strategy meets execution, and ideas meet impact.

After decades of launching, growing, and advising successful businesses, I’ve seen one universal truth: marketing isn't just about getting attention - it’s about building momentum, trust, and meaningful growth. With Prime Marketing Strategies, I’m on a mission to cut through the noise and deliver value-packed insights that entrepreneurs, business owners, and marketers can actually use.

This newsletter is more than a collection of tactics. It’s a resource built on experience, experimentation, and a deep passion for helping others succeed. Every edition will bring you actionable strategies, case studies, growth hacks, and honest guidance - not fluff. Whether you’re running a startup, scaling a franchise, or fine-tuning your next campaign, this is your space for clarity and inspiration.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let’s build something great - together.

To your success,
@AndrewHazen
Founder & Publisher
Prime Marketing Strategies

🚨 The Krispy Kreme Distribution Hack

Discover how Krispy Kreme leveraged McDonald’s to scale nationwide—and how you can steal the strategy.

Looking to scale your business BIG? Here’s one of the smartest, tastiest growth strategies we’ve seen and it doesn’t require a single dollar in paid ads, new tech tools, or even sending a newsletter. All you need? A little partnership magic.

The Backstory McDonald's and Krispy Kreme recently rolled out a game-changing collaboration: Doughnuts at the drive-thru. It started as a test in 160 McDonald’s locations across Indiana and Kentucky and by 2026, it’s expected to reach over 13,000 restaurants nationwide. This is more than a sweet tooth play. It’s a billion-dollar distribution strategy.

Why It’s Brilliant (for Krispy Kreme) Krispy Kreme has under 300 retail locations in the U.S. McDonald’s has over 13,000. This partnership gives Krispy Kreme:

• Massive Distribution: Nationwide reach without opening a single new store.

• Customer Exposure: Millions of new donut lovers every day.

• Data Goldmine: Real-time insight into where their donuts sell best = roadmap for future locations.

• Boosted Online Sales: Customers who fall in love with Krispy Kreme at the drive-thru can later become e-comm buyers for birthdays, holidays, and events.

Why It’s Genius (for McDonald’s) Even the top dog in fast food can win big with the right collab. McDonald’s gets:

• Menu Differentiation: Finally goes toe-to-toe with Starbucks and Dunkin on breakfast.

• More Morning Traffic: Doughnuts + coffee = new reason to visit in the AM.

• Strategic Leverage: If this crushes, McDonald’s could eventually acquire Krispy Kreme, fully optimized and field-tested.

The Takeaway? Sure, it’s a sugar bomb. But it’s also business brilliance. So here’s the real question: How can YOU create your own Krispy Kreme x McDonald’s moment?

Here’s How to Steal It (Without Being a Billion-Dollar Brand): Find a larger business that already has the audience and needs what YOU offer.

• Physical Therapists or Nutritionists: Partner with the biggest gym in town. Offer rehab or nutrition services as their exclusive wellness provider.

• Business Coaches: Team up with someone who teaches complementary content. You handle growth, they handle systems.

• Photographers or Videographers: Skip gig-hopping. Lock in monthly retainer deals with real estate agencies or creative firms as their in-house content pro.

This kind of strategic piggybacking isn’t just smart - it’s scalable.

🔥 In Case You Missed It…

Marketing Strategy Hacks & Tips

• 🚪 Barter for Backlinks: Trade your product for backlinks from niche blogs.

• 🧠 Quiz Funnels Convert: Use BuzzFeed-style quizzes to build segmented email lists.

• 📬 Email "Oops" Trick: Send a fake “Oops! Wrong link” email—gets double the opens.

• 📦 Ship & Share: Surprise top customers with unexpected gifts—they’ll post about it.

• 📣 Borrow Someone’s Waitlist: Partner with a brand launching soon and offer a bonus for signing up to yours too.

Want more high-leverage growth ideas like this? Stay locked in with Prime Marketing Strategies every week. Because the right partnership could be the best ad you never paid for.

@AndrewHazen

PS - I am looking to help entrepreneurs and businesses so please email me your marketing & growth issues and I will try to help (I read EVERY email!)