In 1929, Bill O’Sullivan, a popcorn company owner from Casper, Wyoming, was experimenting with a recipe for candy-coated popcorn. After trying multiple flavor combinations, he finally struck gold – perfecting a uniquely mouthwatering popcorn dunked in sweet caramel. Voila! Karmelkorn® was born.

O’Sullivan began selling his new creation and it soon had scores of fans. Even in the midst of The Great Depression, he sold large quantities of Karmelkorn® and his business boomed. By 1930, O’Sullivan had grown Karmelkorn® Shoppes into a franchise system and stores began to appear in downtown locations all across the USA.

The Karmelkorn® system thrived in these downtown hot spots throughout the 1940s. However, as more families began moving outside of the cities in the ’60s, the Karmelkorn® system expanded into suburban shopping malls. In 1986, Karmelkorn® Shoppes became part of the IDQ franchise system. IDQ developed the "Treat Center" concept, and now you can find Karmelkorn®, Orange Julius® and/or Dairy Queen® products under one storefront in many malls throughout the country.

Karmelkorn® — from humble origins in tiny Casper, Wyoming to one of America’s favorite snack brands…celebrating over 75 years of sweet success!