King of Pops
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and beverage |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Steven Carse, Nick Carse |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia , United States |
Area served | Multiple cities in the southeastern United States (including Athens, GA; Charleston, SC; Greenville, SC; Richmond, VA; Nashville, TN; Charlotte, NC) |
| Products | Popsicles, pop-tails, slushies |
Number of employees | Approximately half workforce reduced in 2020 (exact number not specified) |
King of Pops is a popsicle enterprise headquartered in the Inman Park area of Atlanta, established by siblings Steven and Nick Carse. The company manages 95 mobile pushcarts, a pair of specialized ice cream trucks, and operates retail outlets in multiple cities such as Athens, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina, Richmond, Virginia, Nashville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Additionally, King of Pops runs three walk-up bars within Atlanta that serve pop-tails and slushies. Throughout its existence, the brand has developed close to 500 unique flavors, typically crafted from three to five core ingredients.
History
King of Pops was established in 2010 following Steven Carse’s job loss at AIG in 2009, launching initially with a single pushcart stationed at a gas station. Its business framework encompasses pushcarts, catering services, and wholesale distribution channels, with products stocked in upscale delis, urban marketplaces, and Whole Foods Market. The company also features a walk-up window at its Atlanta base and has extended its presence into sports venues such as Turner Field (2015) and First Tennessee Park (2018).
Signature flavors include Chocolate Sea Salt, Raspberry Lime, Cookies n' Cream, Banana Puddin', Orange Basil, and Strawberry Lemonade.
In 2012, King of Pops introduced "Tree Elves," a seasonal initiative providing potted Christmas trees accompanied by environmentally responsible composting via their farm operations. Two years later, in 2014, they procured a 68-acre farm located in Douglasville, Georgia to grow ingredients like mint, basil, lemongrass, berries, and melons to enhance ingredient quality and maintain supply chain oversight.
The company’s expansion and influence on local culture were celebrated in 2015 when Dad's Garage Theatre Company produced King of Pops: The Post Apocalyptic Musical, inspired by Steven Carse’s journey.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 posed significant difficulties for King of Pops due to widespread event cancellations that led to halving their workforce. Simultaneously, they launched a fundraising effort aimed at donating 10,000 popsicles to healthcare professionals.
By 2022, King of Pops had initiated a franchising program titled Cartrepreneurs, which had grown to encompass 38 franchises across six states by June 2024.
In 2023, the company became part of Decatur’s mobile food vendor initiative through collaboration with the Decatur Downtown Development Authority (DDA), following earlier competitive challenges with Steel City Pops in the local market.
Flavors
Available Throughout the Year:
-Raspberry Lime -Strawberry Lemonade -Blackberry Ginger Lemonade -Blueberry Lemonade -Chocolate Sea Salt -Cookies n' Cream -Orange Cream -Thai Iced Tea -Banana Puddin' -Strawberries n' Cream
Seasonal Varieties:
Spring: Fresh Peach, Blood Orange, Sweet Tea n' Lemonade, Mexican Chocolate Summer: Pineapple Habanero, Peaches n' Cream, Banana Caramel Autumn: Pear Vanilla, Orange Basil, Blueberry Cobbler Winter: Apple Cider, Salted Caramel, White Chocolate Peppermint, Chocolate Orange, Maple Brown Sugar