News

Popcorn is on a roll in Minneapolis

March 16, 2017

The QSR snack food trend continues to grow, making this an ideal time for the world's largest popcorn franchise retailer, Doc Popcorn, to take the chain's explosive show on the road with the debut of its first "PopTruck", according to a news release. Franchisee Bill Bentz, who owns the Doc Popcorn unit inside the Mall of America in Minneapolis, is taking the kettle by the handle on the brand’s first foray into the food truck industry.
 
"With my eldest daughter taking over the management of my Doc Popcorn store in the mall, I wanted to find a way to expand the business and stay connected to my customers," Bentz said in a news release about the truck's rollout. "The PopTruck is an opportunity for me to spread happiness and smiles all over the Twin Cities community."
 
Bentz is just the fellow for this mobile job, too, since pre-popcorn he was a veteran of the automotive and fleet industry. He opened one of the initial franchises in the Mall of America seven years ago, and that location remains among the chain's most successful. 

Bentz thought the creation of the PopTruck would be a great way to expand the brand’s presence, but it also brings it into the competitive and rapidly growing foodservice realm. Food truck brands have grown 12.4 percent since 2012. The food truck sector alone is expected to reach $2.7 billion in sales this year, so there may be lots of new players.
 
"Bill came to us with the idea, and we co-created the concept," Doc Popcorn founder and "Big Pop," Rob Israel, said in a news release. "The PopTruck is the first of its kind for Doc Popcorn, so we’re excited to see how it’s received in the Twin Cities and determine if others in our franchise family may also benefit.”
 
The Denver-based chain now has more than 100 mobile carts, kiosks and in-line stores worldwide. It was acquired three years ago by flash-frozen ice cream chain, Dippin’ Dots. The company now has 16 dual-concept franchises with 10 more slated to open this year.

Be sure and check out the in-depth story on this venture in April when sister site, Foodtruckoperator.com debuts.