Orca Communications Client Spotlight: Johnson’s Popcorn
WELCOME TO THE ORCA COMMUNICATIONS PR CLIENT SPOTLIGHT. EACH MONTH OUR CLIENTS TELL YOU IN THEIR OWN WORDS WHY THEY DO WHAT THEY DO AND PROVIDE TIPS FOR OTHER GROWING SMALL BRANDS AND BUSINESSES.
World-famous Johnson’s Popcorn brings the delicious taste of the New Jersey Shore boardwalk to your doorstep. For the past 80 years, their irresistible caramel-coated popcorn has been a highly sought-after treat exclusively found on the Ocean City, NJ, Boardwalk. Created through meticulous air-popping and hand-churning in copper kettles, each batch guarantees exceptional quality and taste. They have various gift options, including tubs, tins, and party favors filled with the delicious sweet and savory popcorn varieties made fresh daily at the Ocean City storefront. And, yes, it does ship nationwide! We spoke with the company’s VP, Rebecca Juzwiak, to learn the secrets to the company’s longevity and success!
There is a lot of history in the Johnson’s Popcorn brand. How has your company managed to stay true to the mission laid out in the 1940s when your New Jersey boardwalk store first opened?
We have not used machines for quicker manufacturing output. We still have humans toss all of our popcorn with caramel, which we feel cannot be replicated with a machine. While it is a challenge today, we are still very happy with our decision.
Everyone loves popcorn! Tell us, what’s your favorite flavor?
I, as well as so many of our staff, love the butter popcorn!
Is that flavor your biggest seller, or what’s the most popular item?
The biggest seller is by far our caramel. It is about 80% of our sales.
Do you still use your original popcorn recipes? Or have those evolved over the decades?
We still use the original recipe from 1940.
What advice do you have for other business owners who might want to follow in Johnson’s Popcorn’s footsteps? How do you keep a brand relevant for over 80 years!?
I would say, to stay focused on what you are doing and not what anyone else is doing in the industry. Everyone has their story, and we choose to live ours, which is mainly nostalgia and quality. We keep our brand relevant with our hospitality. We are here not only to make the best popcorn possible but also to make sure you feel welcome and comfortable while making your purchase (much easier to do in-store).
I just have to ask. How much did a small tub of your original butter popcorn cost in 1940? I cannot imagine…
We did not have a butter popcorn flavor in the 1940’s. It was our caramel flavor, and I am not sure if anyone even has a record of that. I am quite certain it would be shocking, especially now with how high food costs are.
Now for a question that I ask all of our clients: Name one thing you like about working with Orca Communications.
I LOVE ORCA!! And I don’t just have one thing- but I will keep it to 2- results and responsiveness- you excel in both.
Are there any new products, flavors, or projects you’re working on right now that you’d like to share?
Not at the moment.