Snacks are Popping Up in South County

Something new is popping up in St. Louis. And it has the undeniable smell of success.

Randy Jung is a St. Louis entrepreneur who traded in his corporate constitution to become the king of popcorn.

On Sept. 23, at a kiosk in the South County Mall, Jung opened the first of an anticipated 10 Doc Popcorn stores in the St. Louis area.

“Some will be a kiosk set-up. Some may be storefront. I’m hoping to be able to get into some of the higher traffic venues like the sports arenas and the airport and things like that, over time and as we build the brand,” Jung said.

This St. Louis native’s goals, however, expand beyond providing society with just another munchie.

Doc Popcorn is a healthier alternative to the typical grab-and-go pretzel or plate of fries.

Their product consists of natural-flavored popcorn, using non-genetically modified kernels cooked in 100 percent corn oil.

“It’s an all-natural popcorn. There are absolutely no artificial colorings or flavorings,” Jung said. “I’ve always been very active. I’ve always been very athletic. I eat very healthy – my whole family – my wife really impresses upon all of us a healthier life style. It was really kind of a natural fit to go in this direction.”

While healthy snacking is certainly a motive, creating a family business is just as important to Jung.

“I have three daughters and a son. One is going to college, working a few hours a week. I have a son who is only 14. Obviously, he’s not in the business yet, but my two oldest daughters are both involved in the business and it’s a full time job for them,” Jung said. “My long term goal is that this ends up being at least a third generation business where I end up living long enough to see my grandkids in this business.”

He also considers it his personal responsibility to instill financial foundations upon those who work in his popcorn kingdom.

Jung left a 33-year career with Data Max to open the popcorn franchise. He began with the organization fresh out of college and learned lessons that he considers to be imminently important; particularly in the realm of finance.

“When I got out of college, I went to work for Data Max and they had a profit-sharing program. So every year, at the end of the year, the founder would put money aside for all of us in this profit-sharing plan. It was really the catalyst that set me up to do what I’m doing today,” he said. “I really owe it to the people who are starting in my business now to kind of pay this forward to them. It’s not going to be a lot initially, but 30 years down the road, this is going be a lot of money for (these) guys to do something with.”

With all the proper components in place, Jung feels that he has made all the right decisions. And he’s quick to give credit to everyone around him, including his wife.

“She’s the one that really made us as close as we all are and really made this all possible. If she hadn’t done that, it would be hard for us to work together,” he said.