Dippin' Dots, the colorful beaded ice cream found in many amusement parks and malls, was snatched out of bankruptcy in 2012 and CEO Scott Fischer says moves to diversify the company's offerings have been paying off in some unexpected ways.
After acquiring the company he began focusing on ways to diversify the brand by at least 10 percent a year. That led the sweets company to a new market: plant-based foods.
In 2018, the company launched Dippin' Dots Cryogenics which licenses its cryogenic technology to markets outside of frozen desserts. This tech caught the eye of meat alternative companies and fast growth in the sector now has Dippin' Dots building a new manufacturing facility just for plant-based.
On CBS's Undercover Boss, Fischer got a makeover in order to work in low-level Dippin' Dots positions undetected and gain an understanding of the inner workings of the company. He told Cheddar it was interesting to see how the successes he's seen on paper, especially in the cryogenics division, have translated to the real-world workplace.
"We have these two segments of business, and that type of growth requires infrastructure, requires new management, staffing of employees and to see those types of growth pains was pretty evident and educational too," Fischer said.
He also hasn't lost sight of growth opportunities for the brand's eponymous frozen treats. Fischer notes the addition of prepackaged Dippin' Dots cups that appeal to consumers on the go.
"It really provides for the impulse market, the grab-and-go market and you will see those a lot more in convenience stores and grocery stores," Fischer said.
As Fischer noted that the company has grown to $300 million in retail sales and expanded internationally since his acquisition, he said he does not intend on taking the company public anytime soon. "We really don't need public money at this time," he explained.
As for his time filming the reality TV show, which airs Wednesday, Fischer says the unbiased opinions he received were particularly special. "It was really encouraging to me to see that type of love of the brand and product, expressed to me without people knowing who I am."
