Happy Pops Co-Founder Augusta Puttkammer Wins Queensland Food Innovation Award
We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate Happy Pops Co-Founder and Managing Director Augusta Puttkammer for receiving the Food Innovation Award at the 2026 Queensland 40 Under 40 Awards! 🎉
A Cordon Bleu-trained chef, Augusta founded Happy Pops with her husband, Ian Puttkammer, in Noosa in 2018. What began as one colourful, family-run store has grown into a multisite business with a wholesale division and national franchise rollout.
Today, Happy Pops creates all-natural gelato, sorbet and yogurt pops with a fun, customisable customer experience. The business has sold close to two million pops and employs around 40 people across its stores and production operations. What a journey!
Growing the Happy Pops Way
Augusta’s Food Innovation Award is the latest milestone in an exciting chapter for Happy Pops. Alongside its multisite and wholesale growth, the brand has recently granted its first franchise in Toowoomba and is exploring opportunities across Queensland, interstate and beyond.
We began working with Augusta, Ian and the Happy Pops team in early 2024 to prepare the business for franchising. Over approximately 18 months, we worked together to refine the model, strengthen production processes and build the foundations needed to support franchise partners without losing the brand’s quality or personality.
At the heart of it all, Happy Pops remains a hands-on family business. Augusta and Ian are not looking to grow at any cost. They are looking for passionate partners who believe in the brand and want to share its joy, quality and memorable experience with their own communities.
“To have people who are so passionate about the brand, believe in it and want to invest is just incredible,” Augusta said.
A sweet award, an even sweeter future
The Food Innovation Award recognises Augusta’s creativity, leadership and commitment to building a distinctive Australian brand. It also celebrates the founders’ ambition to create opportunities for others through franchising.
We’re so proud to have supported Happy Pops across franchise development, legal services, lead generation and franchisee recruitment, and we’re excited to continue supporting Augusta, Ian and the team as they grow.🥳
Ready to join the Happy Pops family?
Happy Pops is looking for passionate franchise partners who want to build a business of their own and bring the experience to a new community.