PADUCAH, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dippin’ Dots, the leading maker of flash-frozen beaded ice cream and frozen treats, and its sister brand Doc Popcorn, the world's largest franchisor of fresh-popped popcorn, held their first ever co-branded annual franchisee conference at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The conference convened Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn franchisees from around the country to network, share best practices and celebrate the year’s successes.
“Co-branding locations is our primary strategy for growth in brick-and-mortar retail spaces. We continue to see increased interest in our co-branded locations and expect this trend to continue in 2017,” said Scott Fischer, president and CEO of Dippin’ Dots, LLC. “Bringing together the franchisees, who are really the heart of these two brands, at this year’s annual conference made for a powerful opportunity to learn, share and celebrate Doc Popcorn and Dippin’ Dots collective and individual successes.”
There are 16 co-branded locations currently operating in the U.S. As a result of the “sweet and savory” success of these locations, Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn expect to open 10 to 15 new co-branded locations in the coming year.
“Franchisees with co-branded locations have seen success with minimal additional square footage by offering a variety of products appealing to customers all year round. Our customers have embraced our co-branded locations and enjoy having the option for sweet ice cream or more savory popcorn,” said Doc Popcorn co-founder Rob Israel. “We’re not in the popcorn business; we’re in the business of creating smiles, and that’s exactly what our franchisees do every day.”
As part of the annual franchisee conference, Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn recognize franchisees from around the country for their hard work. The Founder’s Awards are the most prestigious awards announced at the conference. They are earned by the franchisees that best represent the values of Doc Popcorn and Dippin’ Dots and exemplify the model that other franchisees should look to for guidance. This year, Doc Popcorn franchisee Denise McCaskill of Houston and Dippin’ Dots franchisees Kim and Carl Michael of Sandoval, Illinois each received Founder’s Awards.
Kim and Carl Michael have been with Dippin’ Dots for more than 20 years. They have built their successful franchise business with respect and integrity, treating everyone as they would want to be treated.
Denise McCaskill has been an exemplary Doc Popcorn brand ambassador since 2009. Colleagues say she embodies the company’s spirit of customer service and, through her friendliness, mentorship and integrity, she truly exemplifies what Doc Popcorn is all about.
“It is a great honor to work with franchisees such as Denise McCaskill and Kim and Carl Michael who, through hard work and positivity, truly represent the iconic Doc Popcorn and Dippin’ Dots brands,” said Steve Rothenstein, senior director of franchising at Dippin’ Dots, LLC. “We congratulate all of our franchisees on a successful year and we look forward to expanding and continuing our collective success next year.”
Complete list of Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn 2016 Franchisee Award Recipients
Dippin’ Dots Peak Performer Award (largest dollar volume purchaser of
Dippin’ Dots ice cream):
KBC Distributing, LLC - London,
Kentucky
Doc Popcorn Peak Performer Award (largest dollar volume purchaser of
Doc Popcorn proprietary products):
Chris and Vanessa Curl -
Edinburg, Texas
Dippin’ Dots Apex Award (highest retail sales volume from franchise
operations):
Tom and Barbara Pullen - Mobile, Alabama
Doc Popcorn Apex Award (highest retail sales volume from franchise
operations):
Geoff Frischman - Neptune, New Jersey
Dippin’ Dots Rookie of the Year Award:
Steffan and Carolyn
Moore - Breckenridge, Texas
Doc Popcorn Rookie of the Year Award:
Robert and Stephanie
Todd - Las Vegas, Nevada
Dippin’ Dots 25 Year Silver Anniversary Award:
Jan and Karen
Gary - Vista, California
Dippin’ Dots Curt and Kay Jones 20 Year Emerald Anniversary Award:
Geoff
Clark - Lincoln, Nebraska
John and Trina Lovdahl - Anchorage, Alaska
John
Speis, Jr. - Evansville, Indiana
Keith Kuros - Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
Shelly Geiser - Bellevue, Nebraska
Sherry Ewing -
Spearfish, South Dakota
Dippin’ Dots Dorothy and Milford Jones 10 Year Anniversary Award:
Daniel
and Debbie Tesla - Fountain Valley, California
Elaine Coston -
Dallas, Texas
Jackie and Judy Chung - Honolulu, Hawaii
Louis
Migliaccio - Houston, Texas
Rick and Tracey Kupfer - San Jose,
California
Doc Popcorn 5 Year Anniversary Award:
Barry and Patty McLean
- Chicago, Illinois
Bill and Julie Bentz - Bloomington, Minnesota
Cherri
Oglesby - North Brunswick, New Jersey
Denise McCaskill - Houston,
Texas
Geoff Frischman - Neptune, New Jersey
Jed Howard -
Minnetonka, Minnesota
Jeff and Corinne Fortenbacher - Muskegon,
Michigan
Melanie Kittrell - Maple Glen, Pennsylvania
Nate Godo
- Nashville / Knoxville, Tennessee
Randy Jung - St. Louis, Missouri
Rob
and Jean McLean - Pearland, Texas
Sal Cataldo - Jersey City, New
Jersey
Scott Suryan - Portage, Michigan
About Dippin’ Dots
Dippin’ Dots has produced and distributed its flash-frozen tiny beads of ice cream, yogurt, sherbet and flavored ice products since 1988. Made at the company’s production facility in Paducah, Kentucky, Dippin’ Dots distributes its unique frozen products in all 50 states and 11 countries through its franchised and direct distribution network. For more information, including franchise opportunities, please visit www.dippindots.com.
About Doc Popcorn
Using whole grain kernels, proprietary flavor blends and other high-quality ingredients, Doc Popcorn handcrafts a wide variety of fresh-popped specialty flavors of popcorn including gluten-free and nut-free options. Doc Popcorn started franchising in 2009 and has since been recognized as one of the hottest snack franchises in the country. Entrepreneur Magazine consistently ranks Doc Popcorn among the “Top Food Franchises,” “Top Mobile Franchises,” “Top Franchises Under $50,000,” and placed the company in the top half of its “Franchise 500,” a highly-regarded list in the franchise industry. For more information, please visit www.docpopcorn.com.