Adam Sopher: Joe & Seph’s

Adam Sopher, 30
Company: Joe & Seph’s
Web: www.joeandsephs.co.uk

Inspired by the popcorn his father had discovered on business trips to Chicago and after realising there was nothing yet to equal it in the UK, Adam Sopher teamed up with his parents to bring gourmet popcorn to Britain.

Rather than popping the corn in an oil and sugar mix, Startups 100 featured Joe & Seph’s decided to air pop the corn with fresh butter caramel, adding natural ingredients at different stages of the cooking process. Five years later and Joe & Seph’s range of unique flavours can be found in 15 countries around the world, as well as a host of high-end stores including Waitrose, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, and as a gourmet alternative to standard popcorn at cinema chain Cineworld and a variety of independent bars and hotels.

With 40 flavours including toffee apple and cinnamon, mojito and cheese on toast, the company intends to carry on innovating and adding unusual combinations to its repertoire. With growth of over 200% every year since launching and just shy of £3m turnover this year, it’s clear consumers are embracing the healthier gourmet popcorn as an alternative to bland and traditional snack food, and the 100% family owned business continues to see strong growth while remaining profitable.