Sophomore Caroline Reding pays the Doughnut Boyz co-founders Aaron Hjort and Trent Kopp for her Krispy Kreme box order at Bethel University Oct. 30. “People thought [the Doughnut Boyz] were cool, got on board, and were really excited about it,” Kopp said. | Photo by Anna Pearson

Ten-hour doughnut runs

A team of students at Bethel University drives four hours every couple of months to the nearest Krispy Kreme . . . so you don’t have to.

By Anna Pearson, reporter

Trent Kopp parades around Bethel University’s campus, proud to wear a doughnut costume, a walking advertisement. In Kopp’s and roommate Aaron Hjort’s dorm, stacks of Krispy Kreme boxes line the wall. Four times since Sept. 2020, the Doughnut Boyz’ co-founders and team have driven almost four hours to and from the nearest Krispy Kreme in Ankeny, Iowa.

Inspired by another “Doughnut Guy” reselling Krispy Kreme doughnut boxes for $20, Kopp decided to bring them to Bethel for half the price. He grew up in Washington and has missed the “heavenly” doughnuts since moving.

“You kinda feel like Santa Claus when you bring back the doughnuts. People are like, ‘This is really cool,’” Kopp said.

Doughnut Boyz co-founder Trent Kopp poses with a bag of Krispy Kreme doughnuts recently picked up by the Doughnut Boyz, ready to be delivered to Bethel University’s Movie Club Halloween special event Oct. 30. “People come in like oh, you got doughnuts, and we bring them to Movie Club and different events, and people will be like ‘oh, when are you doing your doughnut run.’ They know you,” co-founder Aaron Hjort said. | Photo by Anna Pearson

The doughnuts have always arrived safely on campus, but every call-ahead and pick-up is different. Ordering difficulties have redirected them to the Wisconsin location, they’ve tried to hand-deliver orders, and they’ve even sold to Bethel’s president Ross Allen.

Things like custom doughnut box orders seemed like a good idea at the time, until they didn’t get a single order completely correct . . . so they’re never doing that again.

“You kinda feel like Santa Claus when you bring back the doughnuts. People are like, ‘This is really cool.’” — Trent Kopp, Bethel University junior and Doughnut Boyz co-founder

With the help of Teressa Swanson, a Bethel junior social studies education major and Doughnut Boyz social media manager, they expanded marketing to Instagram, picking two doughnut box giveaway winners per trip.

“Sometimes people really get into it,” Swanson said, “like leave funny messages and come up to the team and say they’re gonna win this time with a huge grin on their face.”

@joshyoung42: “Holy balls there’s so many comments

Lol just give me donuts”

Students, and even some faculty, have been supporting the Doughnut Boyz since the beginning. On average, they receive 40 orders per trip, packing the car with over $600 worth of glazed goodness.

“People here want [doughnuts]. So we’ll spread the joy,” Hjort said.