American Pop Corn Company facts for kids
| Private Corporation | |
| Founded | 1914 |
| Founder | Cloid H Smith |
| Headquarters | , |
|
Key people
|
Steve Huisenga, President Garrett Smith, Director Carlton Smith, Director |
| Products | Blast O' Butter, Butterlicious,
Better Butter, White and Buttery, Crispy 'n White, KettleMania, The Big Cheez, Mallow Magic, Sassy Salsa, Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper |
The American Pop Corn Company is a family-owned business that started way back in 1914. It's located in Sioux City, Iowa. This company is the oldest popcorn maker in the United States. It's famous for its Jolly Time brand, which you can find all over the country and even in other parts of the world. About 185 people work for the company.
The Story of Jolly Time Popcorn
How the Company Started
The American Pop Corn Company was started by a man named Cloid H. Smith. He began making popcorn because he wasn't happy with how much money he was getting for the popcorn he grew on his farm. He started his business in the basement of his home in Schaller, Iowa. His son, Howard, helped him get started.
In its very first year, the company sold over 75,000 pounds of popcorn! That's a lot of popcorn. To keep up with the growing demand, Mr. Smith built a special storage building in 1914. Then, in 1915, he added a facility to clean and prepare the popcorn.
New Ways to Package Popcorn
In 1924, the company changed how it packaged its popcorn. They switched from cardboard boxes to metal cans. This was a great idea because the metal cans helped keep the popcorn fresh for longer. Because of this new way of packaging, the company started using the slogan "Guaranteed to Pop."
Popcorn's Popularity Grows
The American Pop Corn Company grew even more thanks to popular entertainment like radio, movie theaters, and television. In the 1930s and 1940s, popcorn became a favorite snack for people enjoying these new forms of entertainment. Popcorn was also an affordable food during the Great Depression, a time when money was tight for many families. Its popularity continued to rise after World War II.
Helping the Community
In 1953, the Floyd River in Sioux City flooded a large area. Cloid's grandson, Wrede Smith, helped lead a big project to change the river's path. This project took three years to finish and cost a lot of money, but it helped protect Sioux City from future floods.
Famous Faces and New Packaging
To make the Jolly Time brand even stronger, the company started working with famous people. They had celebrity endorsements from stars like Danny Kaye, Bob Hope, and Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. They also advertised on popular game shows like Let's Make a Deal. Following new trends, the company also switched to using plastic packaging for its popcorn.
The Microwave Revolution
The invention of the microwave oven in the 1970s completely changed the popcorn industry. Jolly Time was quick to start making microwave popcorn. This led to a huge increase in sales and the company even built a new factory. During this time, Jolly Time also started selling its popcorn in Europe. By 2003, the company had sold one billion bags of microwave popcorn!
A Family Business Continues
As of 2025, the American Pop Corn Company is still run by the Smith family. The fourth generation of the family is in charge, and the fifth generation also works there. The company says that its address, "One Fun Place, Sioux City, Iowa," shows how they feel about their products and their work. In 2024, for the first time, someone who wasn't a family member became the company's president, but Smith family members are still on the board of directors.
Popcorn and Health News
Changes in Popcorn Ingredients
Years ago, there was a news story about a man who developed a serious lung illness. He had eaten a lot of microwave popcorn every day for 10 years. He believed his illness was caused by breathing in a chemical called diacetyl. This chemical was used to give microwave popcorn a buttery flavor. While diacetyl is safe to eat in foods like butter and cheese, it was known to cause lung problems for workers who handled large amounts of it in factories.
Because of this concern, popcorn makers, including the American Pop Corn Company (Jolly Time), no longer use diacetyl in their products. This change helps make sure their popcorn is safe for everyone to enjoy.
More to Explore
Official Website
- Jolly Time Official site: http://www.jollytime.com
