Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn

Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn

Franzy VerifiedInformation based on 2026 FDD

Food & Beverage · Other Food & Beverage

Investment min
$170.8K
Total: $170.8K–$404.9K
Avg gross revenue
$274.6K
Unit-level, 2026
Franchise fee
$35K
Per current disclosure
Royalty
6%
of gross revenue
Locations
4
Franchising since 2021

Description

What is Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn?

Handcrafted popcorn bakery with walk-in retail plus corporate gifts, event favors, and fundraising programs

Pop Into Something Bigger with Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn

My name is Jules Sghiatti, and I am the founder of Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn.

At Clusters, we're more than a popcorn shop—we're a popcorn bakery. Every day, guests are welcomed with a smile and invited to sample our delicious, handcrafted flavors. From sweet to savory and everything in between, our popcorn is made fresh and designed to create an experience people remember.

Clusters was born from a love of a classic Jersey Shore treat. For generations, families have enjoyed fresh popcorn while strolling along the boardwalk. We wanted to bring that same feeling home to our community.

The idea came to life after I suffered a serious back injury in a jet ski accident. During my recovery, my wife Linda was looking for a job in downtown New Hope. As we spent time there, we realized something special—the streets of New Hope had the same energy and charm as a boardwalk. That's when the idea for Clusters was born.

What started as a simple dream has grown into a fun, profitable business with a unique niche in the retail food industry. Unlike many food businesses, Clusters requires no refrigeration and very little specialized storage, resulting in minimal waste and simplified operations.

Our business model was developed around a simple idea: escape the traditional 9-to-5 routine, build something for yourself, create opportunities for your family, and become a meaningful part of your community.

And popcorn is only the beginning.

In addition to our walk-in retail business, Clusters generates revenue through:

• Corporate gifts and client appreciation programs

• Wedding and event favors

• Popcorn bars for parties and special occasions

• School and community fundraisers

• Holiday gift programs

• Business partnerships

Whether you're helping a company leave a lasting impression or creating a memorable event, Clusters provides a unique and delicious solution.

The possibilities are limited only by your energy, creativity, and desire to grow.

Join us and discover how much fun business can be.

Let's Pop Together!

  • Handcrafted gourmet popcorn
  • Gift and impulse purchases
  • Mall and event-venue model
  • Corporate and holiday gifting
  • Cincinnati regional heritage

Location Analysis

Where Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn wins

No strongest regions, top states, or top markets are provided for Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn, and the brand's four-unit footprint offers limited geographic insight. The clustering pattern describes gourmet popcorn retail as typically suited to small-format shops, mall kiosks, and walkable downtown or high-foot-traffic retail settings rather than dispersed standalone locations. The ideal customer base includes gift buyers, impulse snack purchasers, families, mall and downtown shoppers, corporate and event gifting clients, and tourism or seasonal holiday shoppers. No brand-published population threshold or income range is verified; the input notes suitability for metro and mid-sized markets with consistent foot traffic and moderate-to-higher discretionary spending typical of premium snack and gift purchases. Location requirements include small-footprint retail or kiosk space, high pedestrian visibility, capacity for on-site or supplied handcrafted production and packaging, and support for gift, shipping, and corporate order fulfillment. No customer review ratings or volume are available to assess operational execution or site-level satisfaction. Candidates should conduct territory-level foot traffic counts, evaluate competitor density and gift-purchase seasonality, confirm zoning and production compliance, and validate whether local demographics align with premium impulse and gifting behavior before site selection and lease commitment.
Total Locations
5
Franchise units
4
Corporate locations
1
Avg. sq. footage
N/A
Territory check

Is your territory available?

We'll take you through a few quick questions, then Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn confirms availability directly.

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Availability
CanadaInternational

Financial Analysis

The numbers behind Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn

Avg gross revenue$274,576
Investment range$170,800 – $404,900
Investment midpoint$287,850
Brand fund1%
Royalty6%
Franchise fee$35,000
Min. net worth$300,000
Min. liquid capital$100,000
Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn requires an initial investment between $170,800 and $404,900, with a fixed franchise fee of $35,000. This range reflects moderate capital requirements typical of small-format specialty food retail, though the $234,100 spread suggests variability in buildout complexity, equipment scope, or location type—potentially distinguishing in-line retail from mall kiosk formats. The brand was founded in 2017 and operates four units, indicating an early-stage franchise system with limited geographic expansion to date. Gross revenue of $274,576 provides a revenue reference point but cannot be used to determine profitability, operating margins, unit-level cash flow, or return on investment without access to cost of goods sold, labor, occupancy, and royalty structures. The business model centers on handcrafted production, gift packaging, and corporate order fulfillment, which may introduce labor intensity and inventory complexity relative to simpler quick-service formats. Prospective franchisees should assess whether the reported revenue supports debt service, owner compensation, and reinvestment after all operating expenses. The small unit count and recent founding date mean system-wide performance benchmarks, multi-unit operator experience, and franchisee-level financial validation remain limited. Investors should prioritize direct franchisee interviews, item-level financial disclosure review, and realistic traffic and transaction modeling before committing capital.
Did you know? Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn, a specialty food and beverage concept, requires a total investment ranging from $170,800 to $404,900, with a franchise fee of $35,000. Founded in 2017, the brand operates four locations focused on handcrafted popcorn retail and gifting.

Financing partners

Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees

Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.

FranFund

Lender

CRF USA

Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.

Lender

First Bank of the Lake

Lender

Pension Pros

Lender

The model

How Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn works

01
Ownership
Part-Time (Executive)

Owner stays in an executive role — sets strategy, hires a manager, and oversees crews. Typically 5–20 hr/wk after ramp; many keep their day job.

Full-Time

Owner runs the business as their primary job — leads the team day-to-day on the ground, 40+ hr/wk.

02
Revenue
Recurring revenueTransaction-basedBig-ticket salesService-basedProduct sales (retail)Hybrid model
03
Customer
B2B

Sells to businesses, contractors, or property owners.

B2C

Sells directly to consumers and homeowners.

Mixed

Serves both businesses and consumers.

FDD Item 7

Initial investment range

$170.8K–$404.9K
Most common
$170,800
Minimum
$287,850
Midpoint
$404,900
Maximum

The investment range midpoint (from range reported on Item 7) is $287,850 and financing can reduce cash-at-close by 80–90%.

FDD Item 19

Average gross sales

Avg
$274.6K
YOY change
—

According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn has an average gross revenue of $274.6K. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)

Over time

Franchise footprint

FDD Item 20
4 units open as of 2026 FDD

2026 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn's 2026 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.

Estimated initial investment
FDD Item 7 · PDF
Financial performance representations
FDD Item 19 · PDF
Members-only items
Executive team
FDD Item 2 · PDF
Litigation
FDD Item 3 · PDF
Bankruptcy
FDD Item 4 · PDF
Franchisor assistance
FDD Item 11 · PDF
Members only
Unlock the 2026 FDD

Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn franchise typically ranges between $170,800.00 and $404,900.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.

Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) we have on record, which was issued in 2026. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. Only the franchisor can confirm that the information is complete and accurate and we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.

Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn
Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn
$274.6K avg revenue · 4+ US franchises