November 8th 2024.
Jonas Tempel, the founder and CEO of Opopop, a popular flavored popcorn company, is stepping down from his role. He will be succeeded by Patrick Yee, who previously served as the chief marketing officer for Refinery29 and Daily Harvest. Yee has been working as a consultant for Opopop since April, and officially took over as CEO in July. Tempel, who has been slowly disengaging from the company since then, will fully hand over the reins at the end of the year.
During his time at Opopop, Tempel has focused on fundraising, brand development, and production. He is now passing on these responsibilities to Yee, who will be taking the company to new heights by expanding into retail channels.
Opopop was founded in 2021 and has quickly gained popularity with its unique approach to popcorn. Their kernels are wrapped in various flavors such as Super Butter, Cinnalicious, and Maui Heat, making them a convenient and tasty snack right out of the microwave. This technology sets Opopop apart from its competitors, who only offer plain salted popcorn.
While Opopop's prices may seem high compared to other brands, they use real ingredients to create their delicious flavors. As Tempel puts it, "we are a flavor house." This commitment to quality has not gone unnoticed, as the company is expected to make over $7 million in revenue this year.
In addition to their traditional 11.3-ounce bags of kernels, Opopop also offers a more snackable version called the Pop Cup. This smaller portion comes in a convenient peel-and-pour setup and is sold in a three-pack for $17. They also have product bundles ranging from $50 to $325, perfect for first-time buyers or as a gift.
Yee and Tempel have big plans for Opopop's future. They hope to overtake established brands like Orville Redenbacher and dominate the popcorn market. They also see potential in the entertainment industry and plan to collaborate with studios, actors, and directors for marketing initiatives.
Yee, who played a key role in the growth of Daily Harvest, plans to use his expertise in expanding Opopop's distribution. The company recently entered Meijer grocery stores in six Midwestern states and is expected to sign more deals with retail stores next year. They have already seen success with their online, direct-to-consumer model, which has allowed them to gather valuable data on customer preferences and buying habits.
Opopop's success was not part of their initial plan. The company originally intended to target businesses with a patented popcorn machine, but the pandemic forced them to pivot. The online model has proven successful and will continue to be a key component of their business, even as they expand into retail.
To support their growth, Opopop recently raised over $2 million, with a significant contribution from Valor Siren Ventures. This brings their total funding to $14 million, which will help them prepare for the next phase of their business.
While Tempel will step down as CEO, he will remain on the company's board and focus on a new venture. He will be working full time for Alfa, a creative agency he founded in 2023 as an offshoot of Opopop. With his expertise in website production, photography, and design, Tempel has already begun providing branding advice to three startups.
Yee and Tempel are confident in Opopop's future success, thanks to their high-quality product and strong brand foundation. As Yee puts it, "the product is really good, and we have a great brand foundation." With exciting plans for expansion and a dedicated team behind them, Opopop is poised to become a household name in the popcorn industry.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
