The Doc Popcorn-Dippin' Dots co-brand is on the move, with the two franchise businesses partnering to expand growth. One specific area that is currently being targeted by the two national chains is the City of Philadelphia. While there are already separate standalone Doc Popcorn and Dippin' Dots units in the area, including in the Pennsylvania Convention Center and Cherry Hill Mall, the two companies are focused on expanding the co-brand concept in the city.
In 2014, the Kentucky-based ice cream Dippin' Dots bought the Colorado popcorn brand Doc Popcorn. Since then, they've opened five co-branded stores, which are kiosks or singular stores in which both Doc Popcorn and Dippin' Dots coexist. The first co-brand location was in Missouri's Battlefield Mall.
Renee Israel, a Doc Popcorn co-founder, says that while no leases have been signed yet, the co-brand locations are already attracting interest from regional mall giants, including the Philadelphia Mills Mall and the Philadelphia Premium Outlets. Israel feels the city is a great area for the co-branded units because the companies already have successful franchisees there and it's a big market with many high-traffic venues.
Currently, the chains don't have a timeframe set for the new Philadelphia-area co-branded locations. Israel says the company recently changed its strategy for development, and they needed to find ideal venues before offering franchise opportunities. On a national level, five co-brand stores will be open over the next three months, with another ten planned to open by the end of 2016.
About Dippin' Dots and Doc Popcorn
Known for its unique beaded ice cream treats, Dippin' Dots was founded in 1988 by microbiologist Curt Jones and has since grown to more than 1,500 locations nationally. The chain purchased Doc Popcorn, a Colorado-based gourmet popcorn company with a focus on health and more than 100 locations, back in 2014.
The two brands will be offering co-brand franchise opportunities in many regions, with a specific focus on Philadelphia and malls in Wisconsin, Washington, Michigan, Arizona and Alabama.
