Neighborhood Partner Info Hub

What it is (and isn’t)

The Neighborhood Partner Program is a reseller program. This means that once you are accepted, an agreement is made between you and King of Pops, setting out the terms under which you may sell and promote the products that we produce. You will purchase products from King of Pops and sell them to consumers at a higher cost to cover your costs and earn a profit.

The NPP is not a franchise. It’s important that we state this clearly for a variety of reasons.

The offer and sale of franchises is highly regulated by both federal and state laws. In franchising, you run your business the way you’re instructed to run it because the franchisor doesn’t just retain control over the intellectual property (the brand), it also retains complete control over how the franchise business is operated. You put up the capital to start the business, but the franchisor supplies you with the know-how to run the operation according to their business model.

We support our Neighborhood Partner through training, sharing of knowledge and intellectual property, and limited marketing assistance, but we leave things like site selection, business licensing and permitting, and point of sale system selection to you.

This approach keeps your initial investment much lower and gives you more freedom to run your business in a manner that will work best in your community.

Pick your path: Neighborhood or Single Cart

There are currently two distinct paths within the NPP.

The simplest and quickest way to get started is to apply to be a single cart affiliate. In this scenario, you are allowed to sell pops from a cart at a single location such as a neighborhood pool, an office park, or a local park.

The other option is to apply for the rights to sell pops within an entire territory. When applying, you can review existing territory opportunities or suggest your own.

If you apply as a territory affiliate, we will notify you of any existing single cart agreements within that operating area. Conversely, if someone applies for a single cart within a territory where an affiliate is already operating, that affiliate will be given first rights of refusal to that single cart location.

Application Process

1. First, complete the form on this page expressing your interest.

2. After we review it, we will email you the program application.

3. You will have 2 interviews to discuss your general sales plan and make sure it’s a good culture fit.

   1. The first is with our head of partner success

   2. The second is with our CEO and visionary

4. After those meetings, if it feels like a good fit, we will send you a proposed territory draft on a map.

   1. You will have a chance to give us feedback on territory lines before finalizing

5. Once your territory is mutually agreed upon, we will need the following items from you:

   1. A signed agreement

   2. A reference check

   3. A sales vision to outline your strategy

   4. A background check consent form

   5. A state reseller certificate

6. We will be sending a $200 invoice to cover the following

   1. Background check

   2. Marketing materials

   3. KoP email address

Onboarding

Upon acceptance into the Neighborhood Partner Program, you will be invited to an onboarding session at King of Pops Headquarters in Atlanta, GA *(virtual until further notice)*

During this session, you will learn about our company core values, our customer service pillars, company history, product info, basic cart set up procedures, and the "Why" behind everything that we do—to create unexpected moments of happiness. You will also have the opportunity to complete a shadow shift with a veteran King of Pops slinger.

Additionally, you will receive a series of onboarding modules and marketing materials prior to training.

Minimum operating requirements

• You are responsible for having a legal business (business license, permits, etc.). In addition, you are responsible for any fines or fees that are a result of your sales activity. Our partner success team will provide limited assistance and guidance, but under the terms of our agreement, the ultimate responsibility to be a legal entity will fall to you.

• You can rent a pop cart on a weekly basis for $35 per week or on an annual basis for $300 per year. The rental fee will include the cart, umbrella, and menu board (as well as dry ice for weekly rentals).

• It’s important to think through how you will transport the cart safely. We’ve had success with pickup trucks, some SUVs and vans, trailers, or services like Bungii. There are a variety of trailers that work as well

• You can also purchase a branded King of Pops cooler for $75.

• You will need a place to store pops. We have found that you can fit approximately 2,000 pops in a single 20 cubic feet deep freezer like this one.

Because you do not have to locate a permanent site from which to operate your King of Pops business, we do not provide you with assistance in doing so. You may open an office, but it is not required and does not need to be approved by us.

We estimate that it will take 2 to 6 weeks after you sign the Affiliate Agreement before you are selling your first pop. The factors affecting this length of time include the time necessary for you to obtain product and equipment, schedule your initial training, and hire and train any necessary employees.

Insurance

KoP general liability insurance provides coverage to all products we manufacture if injury or harm is incurred due to the product.

We do not require any additional insurance, but it is your responsibility to make sure you have the appropriate level of insurance for your type of business.

Purchasing product and supplies

Pops are available to Neighborhood Partners at a rate of $2 each.

Pops should be sold directly to customers at $4 each and should be marketed at that price. If circu would like to negotiate a lower rate with an end customer you may, but the advertised price must always be $4.

Click here to see a list of potential startup and ongoing costs for partners.

Selling Product

We have the right to recommend retail prices and prescribe minimum and/or maximum retail prices for the products and/or services offered and sold at your King of Pops Business.

You must have permission before selling on any property, public or private. This may require applying to events, talking with property owners or applying for necessary permits.

You are also responsible for paying any applicable sales tax on sales that you make.

You will not be allowed to sell other products while you are acting as a KoP Neighborhood Partner.

Potential Sales Channels

The vision is that each Neighborhood Partner would use their contacts and connections to find the best opportunities for sales. We’ve seen success with multiple types of sales opportunities over the years; literally anything you can imagine, we’ve likely tried.

• Cart sales: set up a cart at a neighborhood festival, in a parking lot, at a park, on a golf course, at a pool, etc. The sky’s the limit on where a cart can go. We’ve been on rooftops, in vehicles, on the beach, and in the middle of international pillow fight day.

• Door to door: literally walk around your neighborhood and knock on doors to ask if anyone wants a treat. If there’s a giveback component, this could really work.

• Virtual door to door: same as above only instead of walking with your feet you’re walking with your fingers. Text, call, email, and post about your available offerings and follow up to collect orders.

• Pre-sales/delivery: could be anywhere but think about collecting orders ahead of time and then delivering them.

• Fundraisers: partner up with those in your community doing good or operating a not for profit organization. You sell more pops, they raise money for their cause.

• Pop catering: what’s better than a pop party whether for an office, neighborhood, bday party, wedding, or anything else you can imagine!

Adding Staff Members

You may decide that you want to bring on staff to help you scale your business. If this is the case, we may offer training sessions in the future at a cost to you.

If you hire employees, it is your responsibility to follow all state and federal employment guidelines.

What We Do

Brand Building

We will continue to build the King of Pops brand through our corporate marketing efforts, including campaigns across social media, email, PR, partnerships, and direct response ads. We will also maintain our website/blog and their SEO opportunities.

We encourage you to submit images and stories from your business via Basecamp for the opportunity to be shared on our main social media accounts.

Design Resources

Our in-house designer has created images that you can use in your marketing efforts. These can be found in the Design Resources folder in Basecamp. You are also welcome to repurpose any of our social posts on your own accounts.

Our design team is available for specific design requests at the rate of $50/hour. Alternatively, we recommend DIY tools like Canva.

Website Listing

You will receive a business listing on https://kingofpops.com/near-me/. This listing can include a link to your website or social media account as well as the address and hours to one of your recurring cart locations.

Lead Generation

As we market King of Pops across our various channels, we will forward any leads we receive in your territory to you. We expect a response to the lead within 24 hours.

Additional Support

Our Head of Marketing offers additional marketing training and resources in Basecamp. We also encourage you to network with other Neighborhood Partners to learn from one another.

What You Do

Social Media

We encourage you to start and manage your own local social media profiles. These should follow this format:

@kingofpopsneighborhood ie @kingofpopscharlotte or @kingofpopsclt

We encourage you to use the social media branding assets found in Basecamp, including profile and cover images, highlight covers, etc.

The main account @kingofpops is to be the only verified account.

You are welcome to repurpose any of the @kingofpops content for your own social media, and the original files can be found in Basecamp. We also encourage you to post original content related to your specific neighborhood, especially posts highlighting where folks can find you.

Tag @kingofpops in your posts for a chance to be featured on the main account.

Website

You are welcome to create your own website if you wish. We ask that the URL follow this format:

www.kingofpopsneighborhood.com ie kingofpopscharlotte.com

However, you are also welcome to use the city listing page and/or your social profile as your website.

Grassroots

Connecting with local organizations, influencers, businesses, and media will be highly beneficial to the growth of your business, and we encourage you to focus on building these relationships.

We also encourage creative campaigns, especially involving the company purpose of creating Unexpected Moments of Happiness.

Email & Ads

We have found email and ads to be effective growth tactics, and we encourage you to make each a part of your strategy. You can create an email list and continue collecting emails via your POS. We suggest sending an email each week sharing any products updates and where folks can find you that week. Ads are particularly helpful for online sales and/or catering orders.

How do I become a Neighborhood Partner?

• 1. First, complete the form on this page expressing your interest.

  2. After we review it, we will email you the program application.

  3. If we think you are a good fit, we will schedule two interviews with you: A culture chat with our sales director and a followup chat with our founder.

  4. Next we’ll ask for references and conduct interviews with them.

  5. Finally, upon acceptance into the program you will be enrolled in our onboarding training program and will be required to complete your personal vision of success.

How much does it cost to become a KoP Neighborhood Partner?
There are no operating fees to be a KoP Neighborhood Partner for 2020. There is a nominal orientation fee which covers training and marketing materials. Click here to see an estimate of other associated costs for starting up and maintaining your business.

Where can I sell?
The vision is that each Neighborhood Partner would use their contacts and connections to find the best opportunities for sales. We’ve seen success with multiple types of sales opportunities over the years: neighborhood festivals, in a parking lot, at a park, on a golf course, at a pool, pre-sales or catering parties, etc.

How do I order products to resell?
You will be set up with an account in our online ordering system and will be able to pick up the order at designated times (varies by city) at the KoP HQ that’s most convenient, if it’s in stock.

We also offer free in town delivery (within the metros of Atlanta, Nashville, Charleston, Charlotte, or Richmond) for orders over $300, and can deliver products for an additional $25 fee for orders under $300.

Can I sell your products alongside other products?
You will not be allowed to sell other products while you are acting as a KoP Neighborhood Partner.

Can I sell your other products?
At this time, we are only allowing for King of Pops and King of Pups (our all-natural doggie ice cream) to be resold in this program.

What if someone wants me to cater their event?
If the request comes to you and the event is in your approved territory then it's all yours!

If an event requests comes through King of Pops we will decide to pass on the event based on your ability to execute to our expectations. For example, if we get a lead for an event that will require 10 carts and you’ve only managed an event with one cart, we would likely handle this opportunity internally.

Can I sell to my local grocery store?
KoP Neighborhood Partners are only allowed to sell to end customers. This means they can’t sell to someone who is going to resell it to someone else.

How do I get a KoP cart to sell from?
You can rent them on a weekly basis for $35 per week (includes chalkboard and umbrella) or on an annual basis for $300 per year. The weekly rental fee will include the cart, umbrella, and menu board (as well as dry ice for weekly rentals). The yearly rental is only the cart and you'll need to purchase a chalkboard and umbrella separately (about $200).

Do I have to sell from a cart?
No. You can also rent a branded King of Pops cooler for $20/day which includes dry ice. You can also purchase a branded King of Pops cooler for $75.

How do I transport the cart safely?
We’ve had success with pickup trucks, some SUVs, vans, trailers, and ride share services that we’ve negotiated contracts with. You can also add a hitch to any vehicle to put a small hitch carrier with ramp.

Are the King of Pops carts considered food trucks? What additional permitting may be required?

We sell a prepackaged good (not prepared on site) so it's different than a food truck and less onerous generally but each locality will have its own rules. It will be your responsibility to only sell where legally allowed.

How do I make money?
Pops are to be purchased at $2 each and resold at $4 after tax each, so you will make approximately $1.60-1.80 for each pop that you sell based on local sales tax.

Who pays sales tax?
Sales tax: you will be responsible for paying applicable sales taxes on any sales that you make.

Can I use King of Pops branding?
Yes, but only in the manner spelled out in our agreement. You will receive a non-exclusive license to use the marks in conjunction with selling approved products only.

Do I need insurance?
KoP general liability insurance provides coverage to all products we manufacture if due to the product.

You may want to obtain your own general liability insurance as well as auto and workers comp insurance if applicable.