Who is Pop Daddy?

We get that question a lot. With a name like Pop Daddy, people wonder about the person behind the product. Pop Daddy Snacks was founded by Mark and Erin Sarafa, who were passionate—some might say obsessed—with microwave popcorn. Seeking a healthier alternative to chemically laden options, Mark began experimenting with kernels and flavors in his basement after purchasing a large popcorn machine.

Mark and Erin were thrilled by the popularity of their homemade popcorn, which they gave away for free for two years before Erin and their children, J.T. and Grace, encouraged Mark to turn it into a business. In 2013, Pop Daddy Snacks was born, built on the foundation on “Bold Snacks made with Big Heart”, and became Mark’s full-time job. They started in a small bakery in Metro Detroit, staying afloat by splitting rent with tenants found on Craigslist.

While the brand continued to grow and gain traction, something new was coming. In 2018, inspired by a family gift of homemade seasoned pretzels, they launched their new product line that quickly became a hit. With the help of Mark’s son, J.T., the pretzels went viral on TikTok and have become pantry staples and top sellers in the snack market.

Pop Daddy Snacks continues to add new snacks to the lineup and reinforce their commitment to bold, unique flavors. Today, Pop Daddy offers over 25 flavors of snacks, available in over 30,000 U.S retail locations and 4 countries. Through their growth, Pop Daddy continues to operate out of Michigan and further their commitment to BOLD snacks with BIG heart.