Popcorditorei Knalle

What Popcorditorei Knalle does

Popkornditorei Knalle GmbH is a Berlin-based gourmet popcorn manufacturer founded in 2015-2016 by Lucie (a trained pastry chef), André, and Christopher. The company operates a proprietary production process in which mushroom corn is fat-free air-popped and then oven-baked after coating with proprietary recipes, producing a distinctive crispy texture without oil frying. The product portfolio comprises seven core flavors (including Butterkaramell Tahiti-Vanille as the bestseller, plus Trüffel Fleur de Sel, Salz & Butter, Tonkabohne Kokos, Dunkle Schokolade Geröstete Mandel, Peanut Butter Salted Caramel, and Franzbrötchen) supplemented by seasonal editions and limited collaborations with Michelin-starred chef Tim Raue.

The business operates three revenue streams: (1) direct-to-consumer e-commerce via the knalle.berlin online shop with climate-neutral DHL shipping within Germany and Austria, (2) wholesale distribution to 936+ retail locations across Germany including KaDeWe, gourmet shops, and specialty food retailers, and (3) a B2B corporate gifting channel led by a dedicated sales function offering custom branded popcorn with a 250-unit minimum order. Customer segments include gourmet food enthusiasts, gift buyers, and corporate clients seeking differentiated trade show or employee gifts. Select named B2B clients include PKS Software, Amundi Deutschland, and Herm. Sprenger.

Commercial positioning emphasizes premium ingredients (Tahiti vanilla, Malabar pepper, tonka bean, truffle), social responsibility through a long-standing packaging partnership with MOSAIK Werkstätten für Menschen mit Behinderungen, and craft provenance demonstrated through the founder's fine-dining background. The company is privately held and bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding, operates 11-50 employees, and reports a 4.9/5 star rating across 2,641 verified reviews on Reviews.io.

Name

Popcorditorei Knalle

Legal name

Popkornditorei Knalle GmbH

Website

https://knalle.berlin

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Popkornditorei Knalle is a Berlin-based gourmet popcorn manufacturer using a proprietary air-popped then oven-baked process, selling premium handcrafted popcorn through D2C e-commerce, 936+ German retail partners, and B2B corporate gifting channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gourmet Popcorn / Artisanal Snacks

NAICS

Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing (31134)

SIC

Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060)

akta.pro primary industry

Popcorn & Puffed Snacks (CRADABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Popcorn Manufacturing (AFAKAIAC)

Keywords

• Gourmet popcorn
• Artisan snacks
• Handcrafted popcorn
• Corporate gifts
• Premium confections

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online shop sales to individual consumers in Germany and Austria. Products shipped via climate-neutral DHL. Primary revenue stream with products priced from €4.90 per 100g to €35 for 8-pack sets.
2. B2B Corporate Gifts: Custom branded popcorn for companies - trade show giveaways, employee gifts, customer appreciation. Personalized packaging with stickers, labels, or custom designs. Minimum order 250 units. Lead time 2-3 weeks with personalization.
3. Wholesale to Retail Partners: Distribution through 936+ retailers across Germany including KaDeWe, gourmet shops, wine shops, concept stores, and specialty food retailers. Products stocked in premium retail locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Popkornditorei Knalle hand-produces gourmet popcorn in its Berlin "Backstube" using a proprietary two-step process: oil-free hot-air popping followed by oven-baking with handcrafted caramel and seasoning recipes. The company sells 7+ core popcorn flavors plus seasonal and chef-collaboration varieties direct-to-consumer (online shop and Berlin flagship store), through 936+ German retail partners, and via a B2B corporate-gifting program for custom-branded orders.

Product overview

Popkornditorei Knalle is a gourmet popcorn manufacturer based in Berlin, Germany, specializing in hand-crafted, oven-baked popcorn made from non-GMO mushroom corn. The company offers a core portfolio of 7 regular popcorn varieties including Butterkaramell Tahiti-Vanille (their bestseller), Peanut Butter Salted Caramel, Franzbrötchen/Zimtschnecke, Tonkabohne Kokos vegan, Dunkle Schokolade Geröstete Mandel vegan, Salz & Butter, and Trüffel Fleur de Sel. Limited edition collaborations with Michelin-starred chef Tim Raue feature exclusive flavors like Extrakaramell Grapefruit Timutpfeffer and Extrakaramell Chipotle Chili Zitrone. The product range includes seasonal varieties (Tomate Mediterrane Kräuter, Earl Grey Limette), gift sets (Alle Knalle 8-Sorten, Sommer Set, Knalle Bunt Set), corporate gifting options (Team Sets, Christmas gifts), and merchandise (Knalle Beutel). The company also offers customizable corporate gift solutions with branded packaging for trade shows and events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tim Raue x Knalle: Limited edition popcorn collaboration with celebrity chef Tim Raue featuring Extrakaramell Chipotle Chili Zitrone and Extrakaramell Grapefruit Timutpfeffer flavors

Products and services

• Butterkaramell Tahiti-Vanille Popcorn Bestseller caramelized popcorn made with butter caramel and premium Tahiti vanilla, sold in 100g bags at €4.90.
• Dunkle Schokolade Geröstete Mandel Popcorn (vegan) Vegan popcorn coated with 70% dark chocolate and roasted almonds, sold in 100g bags at €4.90.
• Franzbrötchen / Zimtschnecke Popcorn Caramelized popcorn inspired by Hamburg's Franzbrötchen pastry, featuring dulce de leche, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla; sold in 100g bags at €4.90.
• Peanut Butter Salted Caramel Popcorn Caramelized popcorn with 100% roasted peanut butter and butter caramel coating, sold in 100g bags at €4.90.
• Tonkabohne Kokos Popcorn (vegan) Vegan popcorn with coconut cream, coconut flakes, and tonka bean, sold in 100g bags at €4.90.
• Salz & Butter Popcorn Classic savory popcorn with 5.5% butter and 2.2% sea salt, sold in 100g bags at €4.90.
• Trüffel Fleur de Sel Popcorn Premium popcorn with truffle oil, truffle powder, and 2% fleur de sel sea salt, sold in 100g bags at €4.90.
• Tomate Mediterrane Kräuter Popcorn (vegan, seasonal) Seasonal vegan popcorn with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, sold in 100g bags.
• Earl Grey Limette Popcorn (vegan, seasonal) Seasonal vegan popcorn with Earl Grey tea and lime, combining bergamot citrus notes with fresh lime, sold in 100g bags.
• Extrakaramell Grapefruit Timutpfeffer Popcorn – Tim Raue Edition Limited edition collaboration popcorn with Michelin-starred chef Tim Raue, combining caramel, grapefruit, and Timut pepper.
• Extrakaramell Chipotle Chili Zitrone Popcorn – Tim Raue Edition Limited edition collaboration popcorn with Tim Raue combining caramel, chipotle chili, and lemon for a spicy-sweet flavor.
• Alle Knalle Set – 8 Sorten Popcorn Comprehensive 8-variety sampler set (8 x 100g) including Butterkaramell Tahiti-Vanille, Peanut Butter Salted Caramel, Trüffel Fleur de Sel, Franzbrötchen, Tonkabohne Kokos, Dunkle Schokolade Geröstete Mandel, Salz & Butter, and Extrakaramell Chipotle Chili Zitrone; priced at €35 with free shipping in Germany.
• Sommer Set – 4 Sorten Popcorn (limited & seasonal) Seasonal summer sampler set bundling 4 popcorn varieties (8 x 100g): Tomate Mediterrane Kräuter, Earl Grey Limette, Tonkabohne Kokos, and Salz & Butter.
• Tim Raue Genuss-Duo Set Gift set bundling both Tim Raue limited edition popcorn varieties (Extrakaramell Chipotle Chili Zitrone and Extrakaramell Grapefruit Timutpfeffer), with shipping-free delivery within Germany.
• Knalle Bunt Set – 5 Sorten Popcorn Colorful 5-variety popcorn sampler set offering a varied tasting experience across core flavors.
• Knalle Popcorn Sixpack Six 40g popcorn bags offering variety across core flavors in a smaller portion size.
• Team Set – Popcorn für Deine Kolleg:innen Corporate gift set designed for teams and colleagues, customizable with company branding for employee appreciation.
• Hochzeits Popcorn Wedding-themed popcorn set customizable for wedding celebrations and receptions.
• Weihnachts-Popcorn Geschenke (Christmas corporate gifts) Christmas-themed corporate popcorn gifts featuring festive packaging and winter flavors such as Winterschokolade Orange, Kandierte Walnuss Ahornsirup, Apple Crumble vegan, and Butterkaramell Tahiti-Vanille.
• Digitaler Geschenkgutschein (Digital Gift Voucher) Digital gift voucher redeemable for any Knalle product, available in denominations starting from €10.
• Knalle Beutel (Branded Tote) Branded Knalle tote bag for carrying popcorn and personal items.
• B2B Custom-Branded Popcorn Program Dedicated B2B service for corporate gifts, trade show giveaways, and employee gifting with custom branding (stickers, labels, or full custom packaging); minimum 250 units, 2–3 week lead time, quote-based pricing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.9/5 star average rating from 2,641 verified customer reviews
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tim RauecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Michelin-starred Berlin chef Tim Raue collaborates with Knalle on limited-edition popcorn flavors. Joint creations include Extrakaramell Chipotle Chili Zitrone and Extrakaramell Grapefruit Timutpfeffer. Tim Raue also serves Knalle popcorn at his Sphere restaurant in the Berliner Fernsehturm (Berlin TV tower). Partnership includes product tastings and co-marketing.
• Mosaik Werkstätten für Menschen mit BehinderungencoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSocial enterprise partnership where Mosaik workshops handle packaging and shipping of Knalle popcorn products. This partnership has been active for over 10 years and enables inclusive employment for people with disabilities. Partnership celebrated 35 years of inclusion at Mosaik.
• Mutterland HamburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHamburg's premier gourmet food destination co-developed the Franzbrötchen/Zimtschnecke popcorn flavor with Knalle. Mutterland founder Jan Schawe participated in recipe development. Collaboration celebrates Hamburg's culinary heritage.
• Dr. JaglasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on recipes featuring Knalle popcorn with Dr. Jaglas herbal and spice products. Joint recipes include Heiße Schokolade mit Sahne, Popcorn und Kräuterelixier and Blätterteig Törtchen mit Apfel.
• Freakstotable NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKnalle joined the freakstotable network, an association of artisanal German manufacturers promoting craft products. Participation in 'Zu Tisch!' events and other network activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Tyrrells: UK-based premium snack brand (crisps, popcorn, pretzels) owned by Intersnack. Comparable in premium snack positioning and gourmet channel distribution, though broader in category scope.
• Frito-Lay (PepsiCo): Mass-market snack manufacturer with broader product portfolio including Popcorners brand. Relevant as the incumbent snack industry leader that premium brands like Knalle differentiate against.

Direct peers

• Pipcorn Heirloom Snacks: US-based premium popcorn and snack brand specializing in heirloom non-GMO corn with clean ingredient positioning. Comparable in artisanal/snack category targeting health-conscious premium consumers.
• Popcorn Indiana: US gourmet popcorn brand with retail distribution in grocery and specialty channels. Comparable in popcorn category focus with broad flavor portfolio and mainstream premium positioning.
• Joe & Seph's: UK-based gourmet popcorn brand founded in 2010, specializing in chef-quality flavors and hand-crafted popcorn with premium ingredients. Closely comparable to Knalle in artisanal positioning, premium pricing, and chef-influenced recipe development.
• Garrett Popcorn Shops: Iconic Chicago-based gourmet popcorn brand famous for caramel-crunch and cheese corn blends with retail storefronts in major cities. Directly comparable in gourmet popcorn category with premium pricing and gift-set focus.
• Pop Art: US-based gourmet popcorn brand offering premium flavored popcorn through retail and gift channels. Comparable in artisanal popcorn positioning targeting gifting and special occasion consumption.
• 4700 BC Popcorn: India-based premium popcorn brand with celebrity endorsements and luxury positioning. Comparable in gourmet popcorn category with chef-influenced flavors and premium gift packaging focus.
• Proper Corn: UK-based premium popcorn brand offering "naturally better" popcorn with bold flavor profiles and clean ingredients. Similar gourmet positioning, premium price point, and focus on differentiated flavor experiences targeting adult snackers.

Regional players

• Seeberger: German premium snack brand specializing in nuts, dried fruits, and trail mixes with strong presence in German retail. Comparable in German premium snack positioning and specialty retail distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/knallepopkorn
• Facebookfacebook.com/knalle.berlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knalle-popkornditorei
• Instagraminstagram.com/knallepopkorn
• Pinterestpinterest.de/knalleberlin
• TikToktiktok.com/@knallepopkorn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Popcorditorei Knalle