Leading flash-frozen beaded treat brand Dippin' Dots and Doc Popcorn, its sister brand, will be debuting in China this year. In a deal that was three years in the making, the brands are planning to open six stores by the fall and ten in total by May 2019.
Chief Development Officer Stan Jones noted that the brand has streamlined its supply chain process to ensure products will be fully stocked at the new locations. The company's team scouted warehouse locations and had cold storage facilities constructed because the product will be manufactured in the US and shipped across China.
The franchising group behind both brands created a business in Asia, and its initial licensing agreement was signed with Shanghai Desire Food Co. Ltd. This licensee group will open the first two locations in Yanpu and Pudong in Shanghai, with a third store planned for Shanghai South Railway Station with an early August opening date. A flagship franchise business location is planned for Nanjing Road at the Shanghai Shimao Plaza Store.
On top of the licensing agreements, both brands have plans to open corporate stores across the country, with high-traffic areas such as cinemas, festivals and entertainment venues as the primary location targets.
Brand CEO Scott Fischer said that because China is the biggest emerging economy, now is the time to introduce both brands. According to Fischer, there has been a consistent and strong demand for both brands in East Asia, so expanding into China is a logical move.
A leading flash-frozen treat brand since its introduction in 1988, Dippin’ Dots now distributes products in every state in the US and in 11 countries, with franchise opportunities still available in several markets. The initial investment for one of these franchise opportunities is ?$120,000 to $367,000.
