USA’s Doc Popcorn signs first international franchise deal

Colorado-based popcorn producer Doc Popcorn has signed a master franchise agreement in Mexico which is its first franchise deal outside the US, the company said in the middle of October 2013.

The agreement includes 60 franchise units, the first of which will open next year in Monterrey in northeastern Mexico.

Doc Popcorn has awarded the master franchise deal to three local citizens: Rene Garza Pena,  his wife Mariana Mendoza Garza and their operating partner Jose Antonio Cazares Aquirre.

"Mexico is the largest U.S. popcorn export market and the best place for our first international master franchise," said Rob Israel, co-founder of Doc Popcorn with his wife, Renee Israel. "We are thrilled to have Rene, Mariana and Jose as partners to bring Doc Popcorn to the Mexican marketplace."

Doc Popcorn began in 2003 as a family business. Six years later it started franchising. Today, the company has some 80 units in 25 states. Doc Popcorn serves naturally flavored popcorn including their signature sweet butter, cheesy cheddar, hoppin’ jalapeño and sinfully cinnamon.

Doc Popcorn offers three types of unit concepts – PopShop which could be built in spaces as small as 150 square feet, PopKiosk and the agile PopCart.