King of Pops CEO Steve Carse on Building a Brand with Soul, Sweat & Frozen Treats
A better way to make work fun
Steve Carse is the co-founder of King of Pops, one of Atlanta’s best-loved brands. Steve was named one of Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Most Admired CEOs in 2017 and was included in Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40 list in 2012, but back in 2009, he had just been laid off from his corporate job during the Great Recession and instead of brushing up his resume to work for another company, he decided to start an ice-pop business, an idea he and his two brothers, Nick and Ashley, had dreamed up during trips through Central America.
Now, King of Pops is the largest cart-based business in the U.S, and a $10 million company that sells not just ice pops but Christmas trees, cocktails ( a.k.a. pop-tails), farm produce, and more.
A dad, hot dog/cotton candy/beer/ice-pop slinger, and serial entrepreneur, Steve is always trying his best to slow down, enjoy the ride and realize that these are the good ol’ days.
In his upcoming book "Work Is Fun", releasing in April 2025 from Matt Holt Books, he goes over those stories and shares how he has committed to making his work and the work of those around him more fun."
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Episode overview & reflections:
Steve and I covered a lot of ground in this episode, including:
The surprising truth (at least to me) about King of Pops' most popular flavors and how they decide what makes it onto the cart
How they've maintained their playful, scrappy soul while scaling to over 60 franchise territories
Their unique company culture, including the core value to "wear the shirt" - which goes way beyond just putting on company merch
The challenges and opportunities of running a seasonal business, including creative ventures like Tree Elves (of which I am a loyal customer) and P10 Distribution, and what happens when you own your own farm.
Thoughtful discussions on parenting, sugar intake, and finding the right balance with treats
Why work should be fun, and what that actually means beyond just a catchy phrase
My reflection: What makes King of Pops special is the genuine sweat equity behind it - 15 years of hard work that compounds into something truly iconic.
Steve loves the business because he's poured himself into building it alongside his family. Rather than diluting the brand, their franchise model creates more devotees, giving others the chance to make King of Pops their own while maintaining that quirky spirit that makes them such a beloved Atlanta institution.
This was a fun one - enjoy!
🧠 Big Question:
Does ‘soul’ scale with franchising?
💡 Bold Idea:
‘Wear the shirt’ - your love for work compounds with the sweat and time you put into it.
🎯 Better Living
Creating art you believe in helps you live into the values you’re seeking.
