The franchisor of the Dippin’ Dots beaded ice cream outlets has acquired the franchisor of the Doc Popcorn kettle-cooked popcorn concept, the company said Wednesday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
For Paducah, Ky.-based Dippin’ Dots Franchising LLC, the deal will allow the flash-frozen ice cream brand to add popcorn to its portfolio of snack foods.
Boulder, Colo.-based Doc Popcorn has about 90 locations in 30 states, Japan, Mexico and Puerto Rico. All are franchised except for one corporate location in Boulder.
Dippin’ Dots has about 120 franchised outlets and one corporate location. The frozen products are distributed across the U.S. and in 11 countries.
Franchisees of both brands also operate kiosks and mobile carts.
Scott Fischer, Dippin’ Dots’ president, said the company intends to grow the Doc Popcorn brand in the U.S. and internationally, as well as offer existing franchisees the opportunity to add the kettle-cooked popcorn to their businesses, and vice versa for Doc Popcorn franchise operators.
“This acquisition represents a significant addition to our portfolio of leading snack food franchises,” Fischer said, in a statement. “From the start, our goal has been to achieve controlled, coordinated and sustainable growth for Dippin’ Dots through long-term moves, including the strategic acquisition of quality brands like Doc Popcorn.”
Fischer noted that Doc Popcorn’s founders Rob and Renee Israel will remain actively involved in the business.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Dippin’ Dots, a fun brand that is beloved by people young and old,” said Rob Israel.
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