Carwash chain signs agreement to sell popcorn and ice cream franchises

GEORGE, Utah — Fabulous Freddy’s signed a licensing agreement last year to open co-branded Doc Popcorn and Dippin’ Dots franchises inside of its eight carwash locations throughout Utah and in Las Vegas, according to St. George News.

Earlier this year, stated the article, the first franchise unit opened inside the Fabulous Freddy’s location at 806 N. Bluff St. in St. George.

To celebrate the addition, continued the article, the location featured an official grand opening event on Saturday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., which included free Doc Popcorn and Dippin’ Dots as well as a chance to win both for an entire year free of charge.

The chain, which consists of convenience stores attached to carwashes, started to sell the ice cream products at its locations last year and now is expanding its offerings to include the popcorn franchise, reported the article.

According to the article, a few of the locations will test a “store-within-a-store model,” while other stores will feature branded displays to sell the product.

“The three brands all resonate with the same energy. We’re all focused on fun, convenience and smile creation,” said Jeff Warnick, CFO of Fabulous Freddy’s, in the article. “When the Doc Popcorn opportunity presented itself, it only made sense to include the fresh-popped snack in our stores. We’ve never had anything like it before.”

The agreement, informed the article, is part of co-branded developments for the two brands, which are both owned by Fisher Enterprises.

Last year, stated the article, Fisher acquired the popcorn franchise and recently executed a national strategy for “co-brand location growth,” for which in-line stores and kiosks will opening in malls across the U.S.

This deal brings the first Doc Popcorn locations to Utah, added the article, which increases the brand’s footprint in the region by joining the Dippin’ Dots and Doc Popcorn location currently in Las Vegas.

“This new agreement couldn’t be a better fit for the Doc Popcorn brand,” said Rob Israel, co-founder and “Big Pop” of Doc Popcorn, in the article. “Fabulous Freddy’s customers and business model of providing convenience are directly in line with Doc Popcorn. The timed rollout of the new store prototypes will undoubtedly be a successfully venture for all three brands. We’re excited to make Doc Popcorn and Dippin’ Dots a household name in the region.”

Fabulous Freddy’s features full-service carwashes with detail shops, 24-hour c-stores and gasoline, and express lube services, noted the release, in addition to the few locations which will now offer the ice cream and popcorn brands.

You can find the article here.