Well, I guess the future never came.

If you’ve ever been to a mall anywhere in America, you know Dippin’ Dots.  They’re the little cart set up near the food court or around some other eateries, and they sell something called “The Frozen Treat of the Future.”  I’ve never seen anyone eating Dippin’ Dots.  Even I, a fat kid, turned my nose up at Dippin’ Dots, despite my curiosity concerning dot-shaped foods.  Apparently a lot of folks have rejected the futuristic ice cream of Dippin’ Dots, as the company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Paducah, Kentucky.

Dippin’ Dots owes a staggering $12 million to Regions Financial Corporation, and when Dippin’ Dots stopped paying in money and started trying to pay in frozen sugar lumps, Regions moved to foreclose.  Dippin’ Dots has been in financial trouble since the beginning of the economic crisis four years ago, and this was the final straw for Regions.  None of the company’s 140 employees are expected to lose their jobs; Dippin’ Dots has actually started improving its business, bringing in $27.7 million in revenues this year versus $26.7 million last year.  The company also finished a nasty patent war over the freezing process for its dots, which are produced in a Kentucky factory.

Dippin’ Dots was founded in 1988 by microbiologist Curt Jones, presumably because he blasted some ice cream with liquid nitrogen and saw the awesome-looking results.  There are over 140 Dippin’ Dots locations owned by franchisees, and 9,952 smaller vendors who set up at malls, fairs, concerts, and other venues via cart.  Personally, I’d rather have ice cream in balls, not dots, but I may have to go try some Dippin’ Dots just in case the company doesn’t survive.

Image: Vancouver Sun

Tags: Dippin’ Dots, the ice cream of the future, the frozen treat of the future, dippin’ dots files for bankruptcy, regions financial, paducah, kentucky, dippin’ dots files for chapter 11 bankruptcy, chapter 11 bankruptcy, mall food, unusual food, weird food, weird desserts, curt jones, unusual ice cream, chapter 11

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