Doc Popcorn and Dippin' Dots Forge Ahead with Dual Concept Franchise Model

    SPRINGFIELD, MO, June 03, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Following last month's grand opening of the first ever Doc Popcorn/Dippin' Dots co-branded franchise in Springfield, Mo., the two snack franchisors are primed to expand the dual-concept model across the nation.

The co-brand opportunity was made official last year after Fischer Enterprises - the parent company of Dippin' Dots Franchising, LLC, maker and franchisor of iconic flash-frozen ice cream and other frozen treats, acquired Doc Popcorn, the largest franchisor of fresh-popped popcorn.

Combining the two leading snack and treat brands, the new dual-concept store occupies nearly 1,000-square-feet of retail space. Consumers can satisfy their sweet or savory snack craving with either Doc Popcorn's fresh-popped, kettle cooked popcorn and/or Dippin' Dots' iconic flash-frozen ice cream, sundaes, floats, shakes and quakes.

"The co-brand concept seamlessly combines the best features of both brands under one roof, while expanding day-parts and product offerings," said Rob Israel, co-founder of Doc Popcorn. "Both brands continue to flourish and grow as people seek more convenient snacking options with unique and innovative products."

Steve Rothenstein, Senior Director of Franchising for both Dippin' Dots Franchising, LLC and Doc Popcorn Franchising, LLC, agrees, pointing out the synergies between Doc Popcorn and Dippin' Dots: "The two concepts complement each other well with sweet and savory offerings, as well as with different seasonal selling opportunities."

The partnership with Fischer Enterprises also provided Doc Popcorn with increased infrastructure, support and operational efficiencies, which resulted in the ability to restructure its franchise fees. For example, the franchise fee for a single Doc Popcorn unit is now $15,000, down from the initial franchise fee of $37,500, for a reduction of $22,500. Additionally, both new and existing qualified Doc Popcorn franchise owners have an opportunity to receive significant discounts off the initial Dippin' Dots franchise fee (and vice versa). Existing owners interested in the dual concept opportunity can receive a 50 percent discount off their initial franchise fee, while qualified prospective franchise owners interested in purchasing both brands will receive 25 percent off each concept.

About Doc Popcorn
Using 100% corn oil, proprietary flavor blends and other high-quality ingredients, Doc Popcorn handcrafts a wide variety of fresh-popped specialty flavors of popcorn. Doc Popcorn's delicious flavors are gluten-free, whole grain, wheat-free and nut-free. Other options, such as sugar-free and dairy-free popcorn, are also available. Doc Popcorn started franchising in 2009 and has since been recognized as one of the hottest snack franchises in the country. In 2014, Entrepreneur magazine ranked Doc Popcorn No. 8 in its list of "Top New Franchises" and placed the company at No. 234 in its "Franchise 500," a highly-regarded list in the franchise industry. For more information, please visit http://www.docpopcorn.com.

About Dippin' Dots
Dippin' Dots has produced and distributed its flash frozen tiny beads of ice cream, yogurt, sherbet and flavored ice products since microbiologist Curt Jones invented the cryogenic process in 1988. Made at the company's production facility in Paducah, Ky., Dippin' Dots distributes its unique frozen products in all 50 states and 11 countries and employs nearly 200 people. For more information about the company, including franchising, please visit http://www.dippindots.com.

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