Describe your business.
Having a passion for food and quality ingredients, we decided to revisit an American classic snack to make a gourmet treat.
Popped combines unique, addicting flavors with creative and customized packaging to create a one-of-a-kind popcorn experience. We offer an assortment of high-end gourmet flavors and frozen popcorn.
What made you decide to freeze popcorn?
A barbecue and booze, and our experience in the fine-dining world, inspired the idea for frozen popcorn.
One of our partners, Olivier, brought over a tank of liquid nitrogen and provided a frozen treat. Voila! We started a business plan and opened our shop within seven months.
How do you make frozen popcorn?
At Popped, we hit the popcorn with liquid nitrogen, dropping its temperature to minus 321 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the liquid is drained, the nitrogen gas remains, creating a fun frozen treat. When you eat it, nitrogen gas comes out of your nose and mouth, resembling dragons’ breath.
What makes your business unique?
Our ability to evolve our product and packaging, our drive to use the best ingredients, our flavors, and our three business partners. Each of us specializes in a different area of the business, allowing Popped to move to the next level. We are a great team.
What is your business philosophy?
To provide a fun snack along with great customer service, to be the best and to give people what they want. We came into the popcorn game saying we wanted to reinvent an American classic, and we did.
What’s the most important part of your job?
Coming up with fun, new flavor combinations.
What is the hardest part about doing business in Las Vegas?
Dealing with the heat and humidity during the monsoon season. Humidity can be a killer for popcorn.
What is the best part about doing business in Las Vegas?
The constant presence of visitors and the support of a loyal local clientele.
What obstacles has your business overcome?
We opened when the economy was struggling and were able to evolve as it recovered.
POPPED
Address: 3700 S. Hualapai Way, Suite 108, Las Vegas, NV 89147 Phone: 702-207-0985
Email: [email protected]
Website: bestgourmetpopcorn.com
Owned/operated by: Olivier Morowati, Zelma Hulet, Jean-Francois Chavanel
In business since: July 2011
We also had to overcome people telling us Popped would fail. It was hard to leave great jobs on the Strip to open our own business. We all worked together at a high-end restaurant. Each of us had to make a sacrifice in life and overcome the fear of failing. We jumped headfirst into the world of popcorn.
How can Nevada improve its business climate?
Encourage Nevadans to buy local, support family-owned businesses and get involved in the community.
What are your plans for expansion?
We are franchising our concept this year. We’re also exploring the possibility of huge warehouse accounts.
Who are your customers?
Our customer base is anyone from 3 to 106 years old, male or female. We look forward to continuing to work with our friends in the Las Vegas Valley and beyond as we franchise.
Our products can be used at home, wholesale or as personal and corporate gifts. Our popcorn is also offered on a variety of different bar tops, in gift shops and by catering departments.