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PopsyCakes: From Novelty Treat to Nationwide Sensation in Just a Few Years Boca Raton, FL March 3, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Perishable News It started with a simple idea: a cupcake perched on a pretzel stick. But what might have seemed like a whimsical novelty quickly turned into a nationwide craze. PopsyCakes Distributing LLC, the company behind the creation, transformed a playful dessert concept into a national brand, landing in retail giants, theme parks, and even the hands of celebrities. A Young Entrepreneur with a Sweet Idea The story of PopsyCakes begins with Jessica Cervantes, a Cuban immigrant who developed the concept at age 16 as a high school project in Miami. Born in La Havana, Cuba, Jessica moved to the U.S. with her family when she was six years old. Even as a teenager, she had a vision: a cupcake dipped in chocolate, mounted on a sturdy pretzel stick—an inventive treat that combined sweet and salty flavors with a playful, eye-catching presentation. Her creativity and business acumen quickly gained recognition. Jessica won first place in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) national competition, taking home $10,000 to expand the business. The award helped propel PopsyCakes from a high school project into a serious entrepreneurial venture. Shortly after her award, Craig Edelman, who holds a B.S. in Finance from the Wharton School, recognized the talent and vision of baker Jessica and became involved with the company, helping provide the resources needed for growth. Today, Jessica is a junior at the University of Miami, majoring in microbiology. She balances her studies with an internship at the Miami Center of Dermatology, where she shadows physicians and prepares biopsy kits, and volunteers on weekends at Miami Children’s Hospital. Jessica plans to apply to medical school to pursue a career as a dermatologist—a goal that demonstrates her drive, ambition, and discipline. A Sweet Idea Gains Traction The “cupcake on a pretzel stick” may sound simple, but its combination of sweet and salty, along with its eye-catching presentation, made it irresistible. The product first caught public attention after a feature on Fox News’ top-rated program, The Five, introducing millions of viewers to the quirky treat. Behind the brand’s rise was entrepreneur Marc Falcone, who came on board early to help scale operations. Falcone focused on creating strategic retail partnerships, improving production efficiencies, and positioning the brand for national exposure. Over time, he became the majority owner, steering the company through its growth phase. From Theme Parks to Disney By 2016, PopsyCakes had established an impressive roster of retail and entertainment partners. Shoppers could find the signature treats at HomeGoods stores, while thrill-seekers enjoyed them at Six Flags amusement parks. In the Midwest, visitors to Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America discovered the cupcakes, exposing the brand to millions of visitors every year. The brand also made its way into the world of hospitality and celebrity culture. At Bongos Cuban Cafe in Walt Disney World, Orlando, owned by singer Gloria Estefan, guests could enjoy PopsyCakes as part of the dining experience, cementing the dessert’s status as a fun, high-profile treat. Additionally, PopsyCakes desserts were sold in Dylan’s Candy Bar stores, online through Boscov’s, and at select Wahlburgers locations, the burger chain owned by actors Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg, giving fans another opportunity to experience the dessert in a casual dining setting. A Bite-Sized Expansion PopsyCakes didn’t stop at cupcakes on sticks. The company expanded its line to include PopsyBites, bite-sized versions of the treat designed for broader retail distribution. These smaller desserts allowed the brand to enter more markets and appeal to a wider audience. Its popularity wasn’t limited to retail shelves. PopsyCakes became a party favorite, appearing at events for high-profile clients such as NBA stars Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning, as well as other nationally recognized figures. Acquisition and Legacy Unique Pizza Corp acquired PopsyCakes on January 21, 2016. The acquisition was driven by Unique Pizza’s public market presence, which gave PopsyCakes the ability to raise capital faster and grow more aggressively. Today, PopsyCakes remains celebrated not just for its sweet-and-salty innovation, but for turning a simple idea into a product that captured media attention and became a staple at events, theme parks, gift shops, and select restaurant locations across the country. From a single cupcake on a stick to a nationwide phenomenon, the story of PopsyCakes is a testament to creativity, strategic marketing, and a little bit of dessert magic. ding Dealer Information Solutions, Inc. Data-Driven Software Company Helped Transform Used-Vehicle Inventory Management for U.S. Dealers Dealer Information Solutions, Inc. (DIS) emerged as an early innovator in automotive retail technology, developing data-driven tools that help dealerships manage used-vehicle inventory more efficiently and profitably. Co-founded by industry entrepreneurs focused on bringing analytics into dealership operations. The company specialized in software designed to analyze dealership performance across multiple variables—including make, model, trim level, sales velocity, acquisition cost, days-to-turn, and gross profit. The technology enables dealers to generate customizable reports on key metrics such as return on investment, inventory aging, and turn rates, helping managers make faster and more informed purchasing and pricing decisions. Pioneering Used-Vehicle Inventory Analytics At the heart of DIS’s platform is its ability to transform dealership data into actionable insights. By consolidating sales history, cost data, and market trends into a single dashboard, the system helps dealers identify which vehicles are performing well and which units are tying up capital on the lot. Industry research consistently shows that efficient inventory management is a critical factor in dealership profitability, as dealers must carefully balance vehicle mix, acquisition costs, and turnover rates to maintain cash flow and maximize margins. DIS software was designed to address these challenges directly by helping dealerships: • Track performance by vehicle category and configuration • Identify aging inventory before it erodes profit • Improve purchasing decisions at auctions or trade-ins • Optimize pricing and stocking strategies Partnership with Chrysler: One of the company’s most influential projects was the co-development of U-TOPS (Used Vehicle Total Order Planning System) for Chrysler dealers nationwide. The system gave dealership managers a sophisticated planning tool that evaluated sales patterns and recommended inventory strategies based on real-time dealership performance. According to company data, dealers using U-TOPS experienced measurable operational improvements: • 17% increase in used-vehicle gross profit • 20% reduction in over-aged inventory • 14-day decrease in average inventory age • 20% increase in annual inventory turn rates These results helped establish U-TOPS as one of the most widely adopted used-vehicle inventory management tools in the United States, with thousands of Chrysler dealerships implementing the system to streamline operations and improve profitability. Partnership with GMMA: DIS also partnered with the General Motors Minority Dealers Association (GMMDA) to develop a specialized inventory management platform tailored for General Motors dealerships. The initiative was designed to give minority-owned dealerships advanced analytics tools that could help them compete more effectively in the fast-moving used-vehicle market. A Shift Toward Data-Driven Retailing The company’s work anticipated a broader transformation in the automotive industry: the move toward data-driven dealership management systems. Modern dealership software increasingly integrates inventory analytics, sales tracking, and performance reporting to support decision-making across sales, service, and finance departments. By bringing sophisticated analytics to inventory planning years before it became common practice, Dealer Information Solutions helped pave the way for a new generation of dealership management technology. Looking Ahead Today, as dealerships continue to face tighter margins and more competitive used-vehicle markets, the principles behind DIS’s early software innovations—real-time data analysis, predictive inventory planning, and performance-driven decision making—remain central to how successful dealers manage their operations. Dealer Information Solutions’ pioneering work demonstrates how technology and analytics can reshape traditional retail models—turning dealership inventory management from a guessing game into a science.