Who doesn’t love a sweet treat — as a pick-me-up, an indulgence, or just to try something new? Sweet shops might call to mind the nostalgia of a 50s ice cream parlor, but modern dessert franchises go beyond the conventional menu to really offer something one-of-a-kind.

One great way to experiment with flavors and serve up treats for all taste buds is to start with a concept — like a popcorn shop — and then find new ways to serve your snacks!

A popcorn franchise like Del’s Popcorn Shop shows that popcorn is for more than just the movies. A wide array of food items, unexpected flavors, and a retro ambiance make Del’s the ideal popcorn store franchise to invest in.

Here are some great ways to make your popcorn franchise work as a dessert franchise as well.

Get inspired by regional favorites

Think about your market and what it’s known for when you’re brainstorming new recipes. If you’re a New England native, think about new twists on Boston cream pie. Down in the south? Peach cobbler is a no-brainer! The possibilities are nearly endless — and delicious.

These regional flavors will help set your dessert franchise apart and establish your shop as a part of the local community.

Tailoring your recipes to your market will allow you to take advantage of that hometown pride and help you set yourself apart — and bring in new customers! When deciding which of the popcorn franchises for sale might be the best for you, ask about the ability to offer unique flavors.

Snack mixes

Sweet and salty is a classic combination for a reason. Snack mixes give you an opportunity to strike the perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, nutty, chocolatey, and other amazing flavors to create some truly desirable concoctions. Combine salty popcorn with M&Ms for a hint of chocolate, or throw some caramel corn together with pretzels for a classic salted caramel flavor.

Snack mixes like these are perfect because they’re easy to eat on the go, enticing your customers to stop into your store and grab a snack to munch on as they stroll through the neighborhood. With the right combination of flavors, your popcorn store franchise will become the go-to place for a treat!

Keep it classic…

Sometimes, people just know what they like, and it’s hard to compete with the old standbys. The warm flavors of traditional caramel popcorn might be the perfect thing to satisfy a sweet tooth, while a dense slice of creamy fudge can hit the spot for a chocolate craving.

One standby that makes Del’s Popcorn Shop among the best dessert franchises for sale is the classic popcorn balls, flavored with vanilla and made in eye-catching colors.

Mastering the classics with top-notch ingredients prepared with love will help you to establish the foundation for a truly fantastic dessert franchise, and get you in the right position to start branching out to other treats, like gourmet popcorn!

…or let your imagination run wild

Once you know the rules, break them! Unexpected flavors like Del’s vanilla candy corn popcorn can set your shop apart and create something that your customers can’t get anywhere else. If you want to be known as a destination for desserts, keep it sweet — chocolate, caramel, and vanilla are perfect starter flavors that you can build on as you like.

Or, if you want to change things up, offer various nut blends with a combination of sweet, spicy, and salty flavors to appeal to everyone. One of the most fun parts about owning a dessert franchise is the opportunity to be creative with your recipes — embrace it!

Other sweet treats

Owning a dessert franchise or a popcorn franchise means that you can offer all kinds of sweet treats to your customers! Experiment with popcorn flavors, or offer baked goods and even ice cream to provide a treat for everyone’s palate.

Del’s Popcorn Shop has made its mark selling fudge, nuts, and unique brittles to make sure that anyone who walks into the store can find something to love. The wider the variety of your menu, the more customers will be enticed to stop in and see what you have to offer.

Why Del’s is an excellent example of Dessert Franchises?

When deciding which dessert or popcorn franchise for sale that you might want to invest in, it’s important to consider everything that makes a particular franchise unique. Del’s Popcorn Shop has been around since 1934, and their business model, nostalgic ambiance, and mouth-watering menu are ideal to get started as a popcorn franchise or dessert franchise owner.

With all the guidance you need to get up and running, plus ongoing franchise support for franchise owners, Del’s can make your dream of small business ownership come true.