Doc Popcorn seals franchise deal in Japan

BOULDER – Doc Popcorn International Inc. in Boulder has signed a franchise agreement with FS Planning to develop 10 PopShop stores in Japan.

Doc Popcorn is an operator and franchisor of small shops and kiosks serving fresh-popped, kettle-cooked, natural popcorn and other popcorn treats.

The international development will be led by the FS Planning ownership group, comprised of franchise partners Takeshi Furuhara, Masahiro Saito and Yu Abe.

The first Doc Popcorn PopShop location is expected to open in the Omotesando area in Tokyo. The franchise group plans to open at least one location every year during the next 10 years.

FS Planning has been associated with a variety of restaurant concepts including Maxim de Paris, Vieille Vigne, Cote de Rouge, Dominique Saibron and Radish Boy.

“We are thrilled to expand our footprint into Japan so we can introduce our fresh-popped, better-for-you snack to the country,´ said Rob Israel, co-founder of Doc Popcorn. “FS Planning is the perfect franchise partner for our expansion in Japan. With their strong track-record in the restaurant industry, they have a solid grasp of the local marketplace to successfully lead the brand’s growth in Japan.”

Doc Popcorn recently opened its first franchise location in Puerto Rico and signed a 60-unit franchise agreement in Mexico.

The company was founded in 2003. Since the company began franchising in 2009, Doc Popcorn has opened more than 85 locations in 25 states.

Entrepreneur magazine recently ranked Doc Popcorn No. 8 in its list of “Top New Franchises” and placed the company at No. 234 on its “Franchise 500” list.