Dippin' Dots
Dippin' Dots produces cryogenic flash-frozen beaded ice cream, yogurt, and flavored ices, sold through franchise stores, entertainment venues, convenience stores, grocery multi-packs, e-commerce, and international licensees across 22,000+ U.S. points of presence.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersPaducah, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Dippin' Dots does
Dippin' Dots, LLC produces and distributes cryogenic flash-frozen beaded ice cream under a brand invented in 1988 by microbiologist Curt Jones in Paducah, Kentucky. Manufacturing uses liquid nitrogen to freeze ice cream at approximately -320°F into tiny beads, which must be held at -40°F throughout the cold chain; the company operates a centralized U.S. production facility in Paducah, KY (since 1995) and a licensee-operated plant in Seoul, South Korea (since 2003). Its product portfolio spans nearly 30 flavors across three core lines — Dippin' Dots Ice Cream, YoDots frozen yogurt, and Dippin' Dots Ice (non-dairy flavored ices) — plus the acquired Doc Popcorn brand.
The company monetizes across six parallel go-to-market channels: franchise retail stores (100+ U.S. locations, $35,000 franchise fee per brand, $56,000 co-brand with Doc Popcorn), food-service supply to 2,600+ entertainment venues including theme parks, baseball stadiums (two-thirds of U.S. total), and family entertainment centers, distribution partnerships with convenience stores and drug stores using proprietary 28"x26"x36" impulse freezers, e-commerce direct-to-consumer shipping on dry ice through dippindots.com, grocery retail multi-packs launched in 2025, and international master-licensee agreements in seven countries (Japan, South Korea, Australia, Philippines, Canada, Vietnam, China) requiring $750,000+ licensee investment. Dippin' Dots has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of J&J Snack Foods Corp. (NASDAQ: JJSF) since 2022, following a 2012-2022 holding period under Fischer Enterprises. The company has 251-500 employees and 22,000+ U.S. points of presence.
Dippin' Dots firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dippin' Dots
- Legal name
- Dippin' Dots, LLC
- Website
- https://dippindots.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Dippin' Dots produces cryogenic flash-frozen beaded ice cream, yogurt, and flavored ices, sold through franchise stores, entertainment venues, convenience stores, grocery multi-packs, e-commerce, and international licensees across 22,000+ U.S. points of presence.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dippin' Dots industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Frozen Desserts
- NAICS
- Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152)
- SIC
- Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024), Dairy Products (2020)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ice Cream, Frozen Desserts & Novelties Manufacturing (AFAKAKAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ice Cream & Refrigerated Desserts (CRADACAE), Frozen Yogurt Manufacturing (AFAHAEAC), Dairy-Based Frozen Dessert Mixes & Bases Manufacturing (Industrial/Private Label) (AFAHAEAI)
Keywords
Where Dippin' Dots is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paducah
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Dippin' Dots business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Franchise Fees and Royalalties: Franchise fee of $35,000 per brand ($56,000 for co-brand Dippin' Dots & Doc Popcorn). Doc Popcorn charges 6% royalty on gross revenues and 1% advertising fund contribution. Dippin' Dots royalty is built into product pricing.
- Product Sales to Franchisees: Dippin' Dots sells ice cream products to franchisees, with royalty and ad fund fees built into the wholesale pricing. Products include ice cream, yogurt (YoDots), sherbet, and flavored ices in approximately 30 flavors.
- Food Service Partnerships: Direct relationships with amusement parks, water parks, stadiums, arenas, zoos, aquariums, and theaters where Dippin' Dots products are sold through service agreements.
- Retail Distribution: Distribution model selling to convenience stores, drug stores, and pharmacies using specialized impulse freezers. Products sold wholesale to retail partners.
- E-commerce Direct Sales: Direct-to-consumer online ordering through dippindots.com with home delivery shipped on dry ice. Consumers can order party packs and bulk bags for personal consumption.
- International Licensing: Master license agreements for international markets requiring minimum $750,000 investment, -40°C storage capabilities, and 5+ years food service experience. Minimum quantities of 10-22 pallets shipped in special -40° containers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dippin' Dots Franchise Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Co-Brand Franchise Investment Range |
| Licensing/ royalties | Multi-year contract | International Master Licensee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Consumer Online Pricing - Banana Split Bulk Bag |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Consumer Online Pricing - YoDots Single Serving |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Licensed Product Pricing - Kids Sandals |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Dippin' Dots product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dippin' Dots produces and sells cryogenically flash-frozen beaded ice cream, frozen yogurt (YoDots), sherbet, and flavored ices, made at -320°F using liquid nitrogen and stored at -40°F. The company distributes through franchise stores, food service partnerships with entertainment venues, retail (convenience stores, grocery, drug stores), e-commerce, and international master licensing across 7+ countries.
Product overview
Dippin' Dots is a cryogenic beaded ice cream company founded in 1988, now part of J&J Snack Foods Corp. (NASDAQ: JJSF). The core product line includes Dippin' Dots Ice Cream (nearly 30 flavors), Dippin' Dots Ice (non-dairy flavored ices), and YoDots frozen yogurt. The company operates a franchise system offering co-brand opportunities with Doc Popcorn, along with food service, distribution, fundraising, and international licensing programs. Retail expansion includes take-home multi-packs sold in grocery store freezer aisles. The company produces all products at its Paducah, Kentucky facility and ships internationally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Doc Popcorn: Gourmet popcorn franchise brand acquired by Dippin' Dots in 2014. World's largest popcorn franchise with over 100 locations serving freshly popped flavors at malls and entertainment venues internationally (US, Chile, Oman).
- YoDots
Products and services
- Dippin' Dots Ice Cream Cryogenically flash-frozen beaded ice cream made at -320°F in approximately 30 flavors including Cookies 'n Cream, Banana Split, Birthday Cake, Cookie Monster, and Dr Pepper flavor. Sold to consumers at retail locations, entertainment venues, and online.
- Dippin' Dots Ice (Flavored Ice)
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,600+ domestic locations and 22,000+ points of presence across the U.S.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Dippin' Dots
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Dippin' Dots technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Dippin' Dots partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Sanuk (Footwear Brand)minorLimited-edition kids' Bubblecush Flip Flops collaboration featuring two colorways (Mint Chocolate and Rainbow Ice) inspired by Dippin' Dots flavors. The collection incorporates Sanuk's signature beaded foam footbed technology with water-friendly materials and recycled rubber outsoles, priced starting at $39. Available at sanuk.com and select wholesale partners.
- The Super Mario Galaxy MovieminorDippin' Dots partnered with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie to offer a free collectible cup giveaway at over 120 participating locations on Mario Day. Promotion included limited-edition spoons with three movie-inspired designs and Galaxy Pop flavor available through April.
- Urban Air Adventure ParkcoreDippin' Dots is the exclusive frozen treat provider for Urban Air Adventure Park, part of Unleashed Brands. Urban Air ranked No. 178 on Entrepreneur's 2026 Franchise 500 list with its 200th location opening. The partnership was announced as a national strategic partnership.
- Doc PopcorncoreDoc Popcorn, the nation's largest popcorn franchise, was acquired by Dippin' Dots in 2014. Today the brands offer co-brand franchise opportunities combining ice cream and popcorn. Doc Popcorn has over 50 locations. Both brands are now part of J&J Snack Foods Corp. (NASDAQ: JJSF) after the 2022 acquisition.
- ICEE (Owen Holdings)coreDippin' Dots features ICEE Cherry 'n Blue Raspberry Ice flavor - a collaboration leveraging ICEE's most iconic flavors (Cherry and Blue Raspberry) done Dippin' Dots style. ICEE and Dippin' Dots are both popular concession treats at entertainment venues.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Dippin' Dots competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Turkey Hill Dairy: Regional U.S. ice cream and frozen dairy dessert manufacturer selling branded products across grocery retail, c-store, and foodservice. Comparable in size and go-to-market mix to Dippin' Dots as a multi-flavor frozen dessert manufacturer with strong retail and concession presence.
- Blue Bell Creameries: Privately held U.S. ice cream and frozen dessert manufacturer with a similarly broad flavor portfolio and strong regional brand loyalty. Directly comparable as a private, multi-flavor ice cream manufacturer competing for freezer-aisle and foodservice shelf space.
- Wells Enterprises (Blue Bunny): Family-owned U.S. ice cream manufacturer producing Blue Bunny and other frozen dessert brands for retail and foodservice channels. Comparable as a private-label and branded frozen dessert manufacturer with multi-channel retail and foodservice distribution.
- Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Premium artisan ice cream brand with a direct-to-consumer scoop shop model, e-commerce shipping, and grocery distribution. Comparable as a branded premium ice cream company leveraging franchise/retail expansion plus online ordering for at-home consumption.
- Cold Stone Creamery: Large U.S. ice cream franchise concept with mall and retail scoop shops, plus grocery co-branded products. Comparable as a franchise-led premium ice cream brand with both retail and grocery distribution strategies.
- Marble Slab Creamery: Franchise-based premium ice cream concept specializing in made-to-order frozen desserts. Comparable as a franchise-driven ice cream brand competing in mall and entertainment-venue real estate.
- Graeter's: Family-owned premium ice cream manufacturer with retail scoop shops, grocery distribution, and direct shipping. Comparable as a private, branded frozen dessert manufacturer combining franchise/retail with grocery and e-commerce channels.
Broad incumbents
- Ben & Jerry's: Unilever-owned premium ice cream brand with strong grocery presence and franchise scoop shops. Comparable as a premium branded ice cream competitor pursuing grocery and retail expansion, but operates at significantly greater scale and broader geographic footprint.
- Breyers (Unilever): Mass-market Unilever ice cream brand with deep grocery distribution and broad flavor portfolio. Comparable as a frozen dessert competitor in the freezer aisle, but operates at materially larger scale and broader product range than Dippin' Dots.
- Häagen-Dazs: Nestlé-owned premium global ice cream brand with mass grocery, foodservice, and scoop-shop distribution. Comparable as a premium-positioned ice cream brand, but operates at materially larger scale and broader product portfolio than Dippin' Dots.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dippin' Dots social profiles
Digital presenceDippin' Dots compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Dippin' Dots financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dippin' Dots leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Dippin' Dots subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Dippin' Dots funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dippin' Dots M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dippin' Dots
What does Dippin' Dots do?
Dippin' Dots produces and sells cryogenically flash-frozen beaded ice cream, frozen yogurt (YoDots), sherbet, and flavored ices, made at -320°F using liquid nitrogen and stored at -40°F. The company distributes through franchise stores, food service partnerships with entertainment venues, retail (convenience stores, grocery, drug stores), e-commerce, and international master licensing across 7+ countries.
Is Dippin' Dots a public or private company?
Dippin' Dots is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Dippin' Dots founded?
Dippin' Dots was founded in 1988. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Dippin' Dots based?
Dippin' Dots is headquartered in Paducah, United States, in the North America region.
How does Dippin' Dots make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Franchise Fees and Royalalties are the primary driver. The others are product Sales to Franchisees, food Service Partnerships, retail Distribution, E-commerce Direct Sales and international Licensing.
Who are Dippin' Dots's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Turkey Hill Dairy, Blue Bell Creameries, Wells Enterprises (Blue Bunny), Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Cold Stone Creamery, Marble Slab Creamery and Graeter's. Broad incumbents are Ben & Jerry's, Breyers (Unilever) and Häagen-Dazs.
Does Dippin' Dots have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dippin' Dots.
What industry is Dippin' Dots in?
Dippin' Dots's product category is Frozen Desserts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAKAE, Ice Cream, Frozen Desserts & Novelties Manufacturing, with a secondary code of CRADACAE, Ice Cream & Refrigerated Desserts. Its NAICS code is 311520 and its SIC code is 2024.