Introduce us to KrackCorn Popcorn! What does the company do, and what is your role within the business?
KrackCorn Popcorn is a unique oven-baked popcorn brand, founded from a family recipe 6 years ago. We have unique flavors, sweet, salty, savory, and spicy, for all snacking needs. Our goal is to provide a tasty, one-of-a-kind snacking experience with a “permissible indulgence” twist for all households! My wife and I founded the business, and I continue in the Founder / Owner role today. We are available in King Soopers and Safeway locations locally, with more expansion to come!
What inspired you to start KrackCorn Popcorn, and how did the idea first come to life?
Grandma had the recipe! Without that, there wouldn’t be a business here. We’re the only oven-baked popcorn on the market, which gave us something truly unique to build around. Back in late 2019 and early 2020, after years of friends and family asking for more of “that popcorn your Grandma makes for the Holidays,” we finally decided to take the plunge.
Popcorn may seem simple, but great popcorn is an art. What makes KrackCorn stand out from other snack brands?
KrackCorn Popcorn stands out as the only oven-baked, ready-to-eat popcorn on the market today. That process also allows us to create some really unique flavor profiles, like our Caramel/Cheddar mix. Every piece of popcorn in that bag is first baked with a touch of the original caramel recipe, then smothered in savory cheddar cheese.
Do you have a signature flavor or customer favorite that people absolutely have to try?
Our Original Crunchy Caramel has always been the fan favorite — Grandma’s Original! We were fortunate enough to win the Most Innovative Salty Snack of the Year in 2022 with that flavor. Our newest flavor, Salted Vanilla Kettle, may give the original a run for its money though!
What has been one of the most exciting milestones or proudest moments for your company so far?
Winning Most Innovative Salty Snack of the Year in 2022 was huge for us. We’ve also achieved national distribution across 30+ states, and our Jalapeño flavor was recently named a Top 5 Salty Snack in 2026.
Running a food-based business comes with unique challenges. What are some lessons you’ve learned along the way?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that I’m not an operator of physical goods! We manufactured everything ourselves for the first five years, and honestly, it was the toughest stretch of my business career. It taught me the importance of focusing on your unique abilities and building strong partnerships to support the rest.
How would you describe the culture and personality behind the KrackCorn brand?
Scrappy and fun! We’re lean and mean as a team, but we genuinely enjoy what we do. In this business, there are fire drills daily, so having a team that can roll with the punches while still keeping a smile on their face makes all the difference.
What led you to choose Shift Workspaces as your home base, and how has the space supported your business journey?
Simplicity and the environment. Shift is extremely welcoming and provides a great atmosphere that makes our team feel at home every day.
As a local Colorado business, how important is community connection and supporting other local businesses to your mission?
I believe supporting small and local businesses is something everyone should prioritize. Small businesses account for 50% of all employees across the country, so it’s crucial to keep them innovating and growing.
What’s next for KrackCorn Popcorn? Any exciting flavors, partnerships, events, or goals on the horizon?
Distribution and retailer partnerships are at the forefront of our growth plans over the next 12 months. We should be in all Walmart locations and all Costco locations in Colorado by Q4, which is incredibly exciting for us.
