Press Room Articles and News

KARE-11 – Minnesota-based Angie’s Kettle Corn is popping

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

MANKATO, Minn. — The economy may be rough but you certainly wouldn’t know it if you walked into Mankato-based Angie’s Kettle Corn.

“We’re manufacturing 16 hours a day and we produce about 30-thousand bags a day, give or take,” says owner Dan Bastian.

The company, which started nine years ago in the Bastian’s garage, has certainly popped. They started selling their sweet and salty popcorn at fairs and festivals until they got a big break from the Minnesota Vikings.

“We did their training camp and then they asked us to come up and work with them on the plaza. That’s where we really developed a following and people started asking us where they could buy it after the season,” says Angie Bastian.

So Angie and Dan started popping, bagging and selling their corn in Lund’s and Byerly’s in 2004. Since then, the company has grown two-thousand percent, yes, two-thousand percent.

And, now, yet another expansion. Angie’s is moving into the Chicago market. They’ve already lined-up several stores to carry the kettle corn. It could soon lead to a national launch of Angie’s.

But, no matter how big Angie’s Kettle Corn gets, Dan and Angie say they will never forget their Minnesota roots.

“I don’t think we could have done what we’ve done anywhere else. Minnesotans have been so supportive,” says Angie.

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Angie’s Kettle Corn Pop-Timistic About Foray Into Chicago Market

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

North Mankato, MN (PRWEB) May 26, 2010 — Chicagoland, meet Angie’s…and be prepared for love at first bite. Angie’s Kettle Corn, a tasty, all-natural snack sensation produced in the Midwest, today announced that its Original and Lite-flavored bagged kettle corn will be readily available in the snack aisles of Jewel-Osco, Super Target, Whole Foods and other Chicagoland grocery retailers June 6.

“Breaking into a market where the official state snack food is popcorn is a huge opportunity for us to win the hearts – and taste buds – of Chicagoans,” said Dan Bastian, co-founder and president, Angie’s Kettle Corn. “Entering the Chicago market is, as we like to say, a real ‘pop-ortunity’ as Chicago is a major metropolitan market and an important milestone for our growth as a company.”

Chicagoans unfamiliar with Angie’s Kettle Corn can expect a quality product that delivers the perfect balance of sweetness and salt to satisfy their cravings on both ends of the snacking spectrum. Handcrafted in small batches and in real kettles, Angie’s Kettle Corn is made from four simple ingredients: popcorn, corn oil, cane sugar and sea salt. Compared to other snack foods, Angie’s is a healthier snack choice that is Kosher certified and gluten-free. It has no cholesterol, no trans fats, nothing artificial.

Rising in the ranks as one of Minnesota’s favorite, family-owned, entrepreneurial success stories led by founders Angie, a nurse practitioner, and Dan Bastian, a former high school teacher and baseball coach, Angie’s Kettle Corn has turned up the heat on its expansion and growth in the snack food category.

Angie’s Kettle Corn is known for its ingenious marketing efforts, as the Bastians secured official sponsorships with most of Minnesota’s major professional sports teams (Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Twins). It’s no surprise that Angie’s has been able to grow from an outdoor event, mobile kettle corn popper to a popular pre-bagged snack pick with its own wildly passionate fan base, as illustrated on the brand’s Facebook page. Additionally, the Angie’s team will be taking the product to the streets to expand that fan base through a city-wide sampling program during the month of June and over the July 4th weekend.

“We’re thrilled to share our delicious snack with our neighbors in Illinois,” said Angie Bastian, co-founder and namesake of Angie’s Kettle Corn. “Our goal and philosophy has always been pretty simple: create a great-tasting product made with the best ingredients, that is as fun to serve as it is to eat. We invite Chicagoans to give it a try.”

About Angie’s Kettle Corn

Husband and wife entrepreneurs Dan and Angie Bastian founded Angie’s Kettle Corn in 2001. Angie’s humble beginnings were as a small family outdoor vendor operation. Today Angie’s has increased in sales and popularity moving the operation from outdoor festivals and events to a new manufacturing facility and expanded regional distribution channels. Angie’s is the official kettle corn of the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Twins, and can be found in 35 states via: SuperValu owned grocery stores, Costco, Hy-Vee, Lunds/Byerlys, Kowalski’s, SuperTarget, Whole Foods, and other food stores across the region.

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Pop Fizz Daily – Pop It Like It’s Hot

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

When salt and sweet have a love affair what pops out? Angie’s Kettle Corn.

Owners Angie and Dan Bastian started with a kernel of an operation in 2001, making kettle corn for neighborhood events and such to pad their kids’ college fund (a noble beginning to be sure). They really popped onto the snack scene, though, after being asked to pop their stuff for a Vikings’ pre-game party. Angie herself articulates her namesake’s top appeal, “When I’m eating it and get one of those crunchy coated pieces, it’s like finding the golden nugget!”

Why Angie’s and not Dan’s? Picking through the popcorn competition, they noted male-name-domination: Orville, Vic’s, Cracker Jack. It was time for a little equilibration. Angie’s it was.

Angie’s Kettle Corn, available at Byerlys/Lunds, Whole Foods, Kowalski’s and Cub Foods.

Read more at Pop Fizz Daily

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Download Product Photos & Branding

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Below are links to high-resolution Angie’s product packaging photos and the Angie’s logo. Click the link to view the image. Then to download:

  • PC users – right-click on the picture.
  • Mac users – press and hold down your mouse button.

Choose “Save picture as” or “Save image as” from the pop-up menu, select a location on your computer, and click “Save”.

Angie’s Packaging – Classic

Angie’s Packaging – Lite

Angie’s Packaging – Both

Nutritional Information – Classic

Nutritional Information – Lite

Angie’s Logo

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Nutritional Facts

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Now available in two varieties – Classic and Lite – Angie’s Kettle Corn combines sea salt, high-grade all-natural popcorn, and just a hint of pure cane sugar to create great taste without the guilt!

Hungry for more details?  Here’s a snapshot of Angie’s Kettle Corn nutritional facts:

  • 100% all-natural
  • Naturally high in fiber
  • Certified Kosher
  • Gluten-free
  • No cholesterol, no trans-fats, no preservatives, and nothing artificial
  • No nut or wheat ingredients
  • Classic variety contains only 150 calories per serving
  • Lite variety contains only 120 calories per serving
  • Lite variety contains half the fat of the Classic variety

Click here to view our Classic variety Nutritional Facts disclosure.

Click here to view our Lite variety Nutritional Facts disclosure.

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Angie’s Kettle Corn: Bios of Company Founders

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Dan Bastian

Dan was born and raised in Minnesota. Before working full time at Angie’s Kettle Corn, Dan was a high school Spanish teacher and baseball coach. Dan and Angie would make kettle corn at night and Dan would make store deliveries – starting at 4 a.m. Although his full-time job has changed, Dan still finds time to coach youth sports teams.

Angie Bastian

Angie was raised in the Midwest and in Florida. In addition to being very involved in the business, Angie works as a nurse practitioner. Despite their successful business, Angie and Dan have never lost sight of the importance of family and consider parenting to be their most important and rewarding endeavor. Angie enjoys her garden and making homemade meals and snacks for her family.

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Angie’s Kettle Corn: Company Background

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Angie’s Company Overview

Angie’s Kettle Corn (AKC) is a family-owned and operated company based in Mankato, MN with more than 50 employees. AKC founders, Dan and Angie Bastian, started selling their kettle corn at outdoor events in 2001. In 2004, they entered their first grocery store and today the product is being sold in more than 35 states. AKC continues to be managed by husband and wife, Dan and Angie Bastian.

Angie’s Product Overview

Angie’s Kettle Corn is an artisan treat with the perfect blend of sweetness and salt. Available in two varieties – Classic and Lite – Angie’s combines sea salt used with traditional popcorn and mixes in a hint of cane sugar to create the ideal savory snack.

Angie’s Availability in Chicagoland

  • Available in Jewel, Whole Foods, and Super Target June 6
  • If your favorite store doesn’t carry Angie’s, ask them to start stocking it
  • We’ll be sampling around the city off-and-on all summer
  • Can also be purchased online at angieskettlecorn.com

Angie’s Community Involvement

Angie’s Kettle Corn (AKC) and its employees donate their time and kettle corn to a wide variety of community events and charities devoted to supporting children and education

  • AKC also has donated to Hurricane Katrina relief

More Information

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Angie’s Kettle Corn: Product Facts

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Angie’s Product Overview

Angie’s Kettle Corn is an artisan treat with the perfect blend of sweetness and salt. Available in two varieties – Classic and Lite – Angie’s Kettle Corn combines sea salt used with traditional popcorn and mixes in a hint of cane sugar to create the ideal savory snack.

How Angie’s Kettle Corn is Made

  • Made the artisan way: small batches in real kettles!
  • This makes every batch unique, with a classic kettle corn flavor – not too sweet, not too salty

Angie’s Ingredients

  • Just four natural ingredients: Popcorn, Corn Oil, Cane Sugar, and Sea Salt
  • Only large kernels are used for maximum flavor

Angie’s Nutrition Facts

  • Is an all-natural treat that is high in fiber with no additives or preservatives
  • Is certified as both Kosher and Gluten-Free
  • Has no cholesterol, no trans-fats, no preservatives, and nothing artificial, so there’s no guilt
  • Made in a facility that is free of nut and wheat products, so it has no allergens
  • Classic has only 150 calories per serving
  • Lite has only 120 calories per serving with half the fat of Classic variety

Angie’s Sizes/Pricing

  • Angie’s Kettle Corn Classic comes in a 7-ounce bag, the Lite variety comes in a 5-ounce bag
  • Both Classic and Lite have the same retail price- between $3.39 and $3.59, sale prices can be much lower
  • There is a new Caramel flavor that is just now being presented to retailers, and will be available on shelves sometime in the late Fall (2010)

The Story of Kettle Corn

  • It is a sweet-and-salty variety of popcorn that balances sugar, salt and oil; giving it a light tint of sweetness that contrasts subtly to its saltiness
  • Kettle corn used to be only available at fairs and festivals, but is growing in popularity and can also be found in grocery stores and various retail outlets
  • Reportedly, kettle corn was introduced in the 1700s, it is even referenced in the diaries of Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania circa 1776. (see www.wikipedia.org)

The Story on Popcorn

  • Americans today consume 16 billion quarts (or $1 Billion worth) of popped popcorn each year.
  • The average American eats about 52 quarts
  • Most U.S. popcorn is grown in the Midwest, primarily in Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois
  • Nearly all of the world’s popcorn production is in the United States
  • The Popcorn Corn Board is located in downtown Chicago (401 N. Michigan Avenue). They research, promote, and inform us all of the many benefits of popcorn

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Minnesota Business Magazine – Business Profile: Profits That Pop

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

From the family garage to grocery stores, Angie’s Kettle Corn has stayed true to its ingredients for success.   Minnesota Business Magazine writer Elizabeth Millard interviews Angie and Dan Bastion about their expanding business and what it’s like to run a growing business as a couple.

View Story (PDF)

Minnesota Business Magazine home page

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WCCO Minneapolis – Special Report on a Salty & Sweet Local Treat

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

The setting is deceptively bland: an industrial center in North Mankato, Minnesota. But there, 30,000 bags of kettle corn are produced each day with the phrase “Perfect Balance” written on each package, a reference to the snack’s perfect balance between sweetness and saltiness.

WCCO Minneapolis reporter Angela Davis discovers that the makers of Angie’s Kettle Corn are breathing in the sweet smell of success in this March 28, 2010 segment of Finding Minnesota.

View Story and Video

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