Getting into one local Whole Foods wasn't just a sale; it was a key. Travis immediately leveraged that single, high-credibility placement to persuade other local retailers to carry his product. He understood that one prestigious "yes" acts as powerful social proof, creating a domino effect for distribution.

In their search for a scalable process, the founders experimented with a completely unconventional method: using a paint sprayer and heat guns to coat almonds with chocolate. While it failed, it demonstrates a crucial, scrappy innovation mindset.

Coca-Cola's relationship with McDonald's became a powerful symbiotic partnership. Coke helped McDonald's expand globally by providing office space and local relationships. In return, Coke received a massive, loyal sales channel with preferential treatment, demonstrating how deep partnerships create value far beyond simple transactions.

Inspired by protein brand David Bars selling frozen cod, Stuckey's could create a strange product like pecan nut milk. The goal isn't to build a new revenue stream, but to generate conversation and press as a marketing tool, driving attention back to the core brand and its key attributes.

Chomps' first major retail partner, Trader Joe's, operates uniquely by handling all in-store marketing and merchandising. This simplicity allowed the two-person founding team to scale into retail without needing a massive operations team, de-risking a critical growth phase.

Jane Wurwand advises a premium food startup to avoid large supermarkets early on. Big chains demand high volume and have long payment cycles that can crush a new business. Instead, focus on small, high-end local grocers where the brand story can shine and payment terms are more manageable.

When the Target buyer asked if they had supply chain issues before offering a chain-wide launch, the founder instantly said 'nope'—despite producing in a 'chicken coop.' This bold move secured the deal, forcing them to rapidly scale.

To perfect their recipe, the founders didn't just experiment randomly. They carefully deconstructed a high-end chocolatier's almond with a knife to understand its unique properties and palate, which informed their own development.

To secure one of their first major corporate accounts, co-founder Chrissy Holler bypassed traditional channels by sneaking into the Google campus cafeteria. She found the chef and pitched them directly, successfully getting the product stocked for employees.