House of Pops, The Ultra-popular all-natural plant-based popsicles, is Expanding!
When in Dubai, parents often are enticed by traps scattered throughout the city. Strategically located in malls, beaches, and luxurious resorts. These captivating traps come in the form of popsicle stands, specifically designed to grab children's attention. As soon as youngsters catch sight of the vibrant awning adorned with the House of Pops logo and the assortment of pink, blue, and chocolate popsicles, resistance becomes futile. This is a strong marketing technique that has proven to be a winning strategy.
Among the wide array of eye-catching, vegan popsicle flavors offered by House of Pops, some of the most beloved options include mango, coconut, strawberry, and chocolate. However, their signature creations that truly capture attention are the Instagram-able mango popsicle adorned with tantalizing strawberry slices. In addition, they boast the vibrant blue Galactic Lime, boasting its distinct hue derived from blue spirulina.
Among the more unconventional choices among their selection of 28 regular flavors are the dragon-fruit-filled dragon colada, the delectable combination of chocolate-dipped passion fruit, and the intriguing black lemonade infused with charcoal for an intriguing twist.
Kanaan, the ex-leader of Unilever's ice cream division in the Middle East and North Africa, joined forces with his now-wife, Marcela Sancho, to establish their company in September 2018. Since its inception, their venture has grown meteorically in the United Arab Emirates.
All House of Pops popsicles are meticulously crafted in a factory located in Jebel Ali, an industrial area in southern Dubai. The factory team constantly experiments with different flavors, some of which succeed while others, like pineapple basil, do not quite hit the mark. Interestingly, although customers appreciated the sight of the pineapple basil popsicle in the display cases, they generally opted for their tried-and-true favorites, according to Sancho.
Kanaan and Sancho (pic: AFP)
House of Pops has grown remarkably
In its inaugural year, the company sold 55,000 popsicles. Over three years, that figure skyrocketed tenfold. In the latest 12-month period leading up to April, 1.3 million popsicles were sold. The company's bicycles and carts, bearing the House of Pops branding, are in high demand, attending over 250 events annually. These range from corporate catering to birthday parties, where they even offer the option to print the birthday child's name on the packaging. House of Pops has even catered royal events. House of Pops products can be found in over 100 hotels, cafes, and restaurants, as well as at grocery stores such as Carrefour. Additionally, they operate 24 retail locations and offer delectable treats through popular delivery apps.
House of Pops is set to elevate its visibility
The franchise partner in Saudi Arabia, working in collaboration with Kanaan and Sancho, has devised a plan to open 80 franchises throughout the kingdom within the next six years. This ambitious expansion initiative follows the successful launch of four franchises in the past year. Moreover, this month marks the grand opening of the first franchise store in Bahrain, marking another significant milestone for the company's expansion.
In other exciting news, House of Pops recently finalized a licensing agreement with Walt Disney Co. This agreement enables them to create exclusive limited-edition pops featuring beloved characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse. In addition to their iconic popsicles, House of Pops will introduce ice cream and sorbet pints to grocery stores later this year. This will provide customers with a wide range of frozen treats to enjoy. As part of its expanding product line, House of Pops will also offer delectable bites. These bites will feature cubes of chocolate, strawberry, or coconut dipped in premium 72% single-origin Madagascar chocolate. To further enhance accessibility, starting this summer, these delightful treats will also be available on select Emirates Airline flights. This will allow passengers to indulge in House of Pops while traveling.
House of Pops has two compelling selling points that appeal to both parents and companies. The brand emphasizes its commitment to sustainability, employing biodegradable packaging and utilizing propane fuel in most of its freezers. This is to minimize global warming. In addition, House of Pops stands out as a healthier dessert option by offering popsicles free of refined sugar, additives, and flavorings. These plant-based treats provide a wholesome alternative, and the company even offers a keto line for low-carb lifestyles.
The absence of allergens, such as milk or nuts, also works in House of Pops' favor. This led to a partnership with the Dubai Municipality for popsicle distribution in schools as part of a healthy eating campaign. Sancho acknowledges that nuts limit flavor options. She believes vanilla ice cream made with cashew nuts tastes better than coconut milk.
While House of Pops' sustainable choices may result in higher expenses, such as using agave instead of sugar and investing in compostable packaging, customers are not deterred by the slightly higher price. Priced at 20 dirhams for regular popsicles and 25 dirhams for specialty pops, customers recognize and appreciate the quality they receive for their money. In comparison, a mango popsicle from House of Pops is priced at 18.80 dirhams in grocery stores. A mango sorbet from Baskin Robbins costs eight dirhams, and a Wall's Max Twister ice cream pop costs 2.40 dirhams. Kanaan highlights that purchasing a House of Pops treat is like buying a latte, as customers understand the value of a high-quality product coupled with compelling branding.
Not all flavors resonate equally with customers. Sancho, being from Costa Rica, expected popular selections like orange, banana, and pineapple to perform well, but they have not been top sellers.
Ultimately, being in the business of frozen treats is joyous. Kanaan describes it as an energizing experience, noting that ice cream is synonymous with happiness. One would never see someone crying while enjoying it.