Happy Pops Spreads the Sweetness with National Franchise Launch
With the height of Aussie summer and Christmas around the corner, there is no more perfect time to share the happy family success story that is Happy Pops!
One of our most inspiring franchisor partners, Happy Pops brings handcrafted gelato pops to life. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Ian and Augusta Puttkammer in Noosa in 2018, this is a brand built on all-natural ingredients and the kind of authentic joy that turns first-time customers into lifelong fans.
That journey reached a significant milestone in 2025, with Happy Pops officially launching its national franchise program after eight years of perfecting its model and building the systems to support franchisee success.
A Family Business Ready to Scale
Augusta and Ian arrived in Australia with a three-year-old, no Plan B, and a wild dream that combined Augusta's background as a pastry chef with Ian's long-held vision of opening a gelato business. Ian had owned an art gallery in South Africa (hardly the obvious path to ice cream), but when you meet them, it all makes sense. The artistry, the attention to detail, the way they've designed every touchpoint to spark happiness.
They built Happy Pops from the ground up while raising their family. Their daughters have literally grown up in the stores, and they've become the brand's most reliable (and brutally honest!) taste testers for every new flavour.
"Our daughters are a huge part of the business. They truly are our chief taste testers," Augusta says. "Creating a lifestyle where our kids can be involved in everything we do is so special. I think it's really inspiring for prospective franchisees to see that you can have it all."
The Right Time, The Right Way
From day one in Noosa, customers were asking if Happy Pops was a franchise. But Augusta and Ian were intentional. They would only franchise when they were certain they could deliver the right support.
"The love and support from the community absolutely blew us away," says Augusta. "But we didn't want to franchise just because people were asking. We wanted to make sure we were ready to do it properly."
Over eight years, Happy Pops has ridden the rollercoaster of COVID and the many seasonal changes, building a robust and proven model across three Queensland locations: Noosa, South Bank and Mooloolaba. Celebrating multiple medals at the Royal Queensland Food & Wine Show over the years, they've been featured in the Good Food Guide, visited by Aussie influencers and most importantly, found real friendship and support from a loyal customer base that plans trips around their favourite pops.
What impressed us most? They've built operational systems that actually work, a production model that maintains premium quality at scale, and a customer experience that's as photogenic as it is repeatable, without losing the soul of what makes Happy Pops special.
Slow, Steady, and Values-Driven
As Happy Pops begins its franchising journey, the focus is clear: controlled growth that prioritises franchisee success.
"Our mantra has always been 'slow and controlled.' Staying true to our quality and process is everything," says Augusta. "Ultimately, our franchisees' success is our success."
The expansion plan is simple: begin within Queensland, then grow into other states and eventually international markets. But the mission stays the same: bringing happiness and connection to every community they serve.
"The best part is seeing how excited customers get every time they visit, and how it's becoming family traditions for our 'happy poppers'."
A Franchise Model Built On What Matters
For us at DC Strategy, Happy Pops represents everything a franchise opportunity should be: founders who have lived every challenge, waited until the timing was right, and built the operational systems to support franchisee success from day one. It's a model that proves you can build something genuinely successful while keeping family at the centre, and we're proud to help bring it to the right partners.
Augusta and Ian aren't just looking for operators. They're looking for partners who genuinely love the brand, because they know that passion is what will carry franchisees through the hard work of building their own Happy Pops business.
"Running your own business is hard work, and buying a successful franchise isn't a magic solution," Augusta explains. "You still need to put in the effort, and the only way to stay motivated is to truly believe in what you're doing. The best franchise partners will love their customers, take pride in their store, and make every visit feel special, no matter what."
And honestly? The timing couldn't be better. A family ice cream business launching franchises right at the peak of Aussie summer, when everyone's craving something sweet and joyful. If you're seeking a lifestyle business with an undeniably exciting product and a thoughtfully crafted model, Happy Pops offers proof that you really can have it all.
Enquire Now
Augusta and Ian are excited to begin conversations about your Happy Pops ambitions! If this sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for, let's talk.