Sandy's Donuts

Sandy’s Donuts was the creation of Sandy Ostlund and his love for making donuts. At 55 years old, Sandy lost his job running a trucking company in 1983. A good friend suggested that he open a donut shop as his friends and family knew that he loved making donuts. He borrowed a little money, bought some equipment, and started making donuts on September 13, 1983. It was an instant hit.

Overview

Sandy’s dream was to have a ‘mom and pop’ style business. The demand for donuts was so incredible that they quickly had to hire more help. They were so busy at times that they ended up taking naps in the back room in sleeping bags. Their son, Mark, also came home to help out with the business.

Over time, Sandy’s has rightfully claimed its wildly popular status within the community, becoming a successful multigenerational business of over 100 employees across three locations.

The Partnership

Sandy’s partnered with our team in December 2020. As a highly successful multigenerational business they had their own unique set of challenges.

The Story to BE TOLD

We to refine the brand’s image by focusing in on their camaraderie with the community. We did this by letting community members speak for themselves in a series called Faces of Sandy’s.

The Deliverable

The message was received: Sandy’s is more than a coffee shop, it is a community facet; a place for gathering with loved ones. We worked hand-in-hand with their leadership team to bring in new customers & staff.

There From the Beginning

There’s nothing more powerful than a great story, and the best story a brand can share is its own. For Sandy’s Donuts, we captured a heartfelt testimonial from one of its founders, Donna, as she reflects on the journey of starting the business with Sandy over 40 years ago.

Through their story and supplemental interviews with early employees, the video showcases the passion, dedication, and family values that built Sandy’s into a community favorite. Their legacy not only lives on but continues to thrive, serving up more than just donuts—serving up memories, tradition, and joy.

We’re honored to help Sandy’s Donuts share their inspiring journey and celebrate the people who made it all possible.

Playlist

4 Videos

Faces of Sandy's-01

0:49

Faces of Sandy's-02

0:58

Faces of Sandy's-03

0:47

Faces of Sandy's-04

1:03

Faces of Sandy

Sandy’s has stood the test of time, cascading through multiple generations as the community’s favorite donut & coffee shop. But more than that, Sandy’s is a place where families can create special memories with each delicious bite.

Photo Assets

Photo assets can be used, reused and re-purposed in a multitude of ways for both digital and print needs.

"We originally became a client of theirs because we wanted help with marketing, help increasing sales, and help with recruiting. These videos have led to an increase in sales, more social media followers, and even more brand awareness. As many businesses know, finding and retaining employees can be very difficult. Every business is hiring and there is record low unemployment. Be Told was able to help us dramatically increase our number of applicants. They also created some amazing onboarding videos for us that has helped our employees feel more comfortable when starting with us and has led to a much higher retention rate."

Jeff Ostlund

CEO, Sandy's Donuts