BOULDER, Colo., May 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Doc Popcorn – innovator of fresh-popped, kettle-cooked popcorn – continues to increase its franchise footprint overseas with its first location set to open in Japan on May 31, 2014.
Nearly three months after the master franchise agreement with FS Planning was finalized, the first of at least 10 new locations planned for Japan will open in the Harajuku Tokyu Plaza. The new destination PopShop™ introduces a new model to the franchise system's portfolio which provides customers with an expanded in-store experience. This is in addition to Doc Popcorn's more traditional PopKiosk™ and Mobile PopCart™ models seen stateside.
Doc Popcorn Harajuku is owned and operated by FS Planning, comprised of franchise partners and experienced restaurateurs Takeshi Furuhara, Masahiro Saito and Yu Abe. This franchise group has built previous successes in various capacities within the restaurant industry with concepts such as Maxim de Paris, Vieille Vigne, Cote de Rouge, Dominique Saibron and Radish Boy.
"International demand for American brands is growing each year and we're honored that there is a desire for our fresh-popped, better-for-you snack in such a thriving market," said Rob Israel, co-founder and "Big Pop" of Doc Popcorn. "We're looking forward to a long-term partnership with FS Planning. Given their strong track-record in the restaurant industry, we're confident they have the experience required to succeed in their market."
With snack consumption on the rise as reported in a recent Technomic study, Doc Popcorn is well positioned in the marketplace with its goal of revolutionizing snacking – for the better. Using 100% corn oil, proprietary natural flavor blends and other high-quality ingredients, Doc Popcorn handcrafts a wide-variety of fresh-popped specialty flavors of popcorn, from Sweet Butter and Klassic Kettle to Hoppin' Jalapeño and Cheesy Cheddar. Popcorn flavors are whole grain, gluten-free and nut-free with soy-free, dairy-free and sugar-free options available.
Currently, Doc Popcorn has more than 85 locations in the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico and Japan, and is executing additional points of presence in key domestic and international markets that are interested in innovative, healthier and easily portable snacks.
For more information about Doc Popcorn, including franchise opportunities, visit www.docpopcorn.com.
About Doc Popcorn
Doc Popcorn is committed to make every guest smile by creating the most remarkable popcorn experience on the planet. Using 100% corn oil, proprietary natural 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 also happen to be gluten-free, whole grain, wheat-free and nut-free. Other options, such as sugar-free and dairy-free popcorn, are also available. Since the company began franchising in 2009, Doc Popcorn has opened more than 85 locations in 25 U.S. states, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Japan. As a result, Doc Popcorn is the largest franchised popcorn retailer in the world. 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. In 2013, Inc. magazine ranked Doc Popcorn No. 59 on its "Inc. 500" list, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The snack franchise also claimed the No. 3 spot on the "Top 100 Retail Companies" list. For more information, including franchise opportunities, visit www.docpopcorn.com.