HipPOPs handcrafted gelato bars, a mobile dessert business featuring handcrafted gelato, sorbet, and frozen yogurt pops on a stick, announced today it has signed its first agreement with The Food Truck Company to be the exclusive franchisee in the United Arab Emirates. The Food Truck Company plans to launch 10-20 trucks throughout the UAE over the next five years, with the first two trucks and a 5,000 square foot micro-creamery operating by the third quarter of 2015.

HipPOPs are all-natural, gluten-free, kosher frozen pops on a stick made from small, hand-crafted batches at the company’s micro-creamery. Based in South Florida, the company has three varieties of signature Belgian chocolate dips and a dozen unique “POPings” which combine for a gourmet treat with a fraction of ice cream’s fat content. The company blends the tastes and freshness of Italian gelaterias with modern technology. HipPOPs taps into social networking sites to drive customers to its current truck locations in Florida.

“Since we launched our first truck in 2012, HipPOPs has cultivated an incredibly loyal and enthusiastic fan base here in Florida and we saw this as a lucrative opportunity to bring this new business concept overseas,” says Anthony Fellows, founder of HipPOPs. “Food trucks are just beginning to launch in Dubai, so this is the perfect opportunity to get in on the ground floor of this relatively untapped market. Our partnership with The Food Truck Company facilitates our international expansion into the UAE and we are anticipating great success for HipPOPs in Dubai.”

The Dubai announcement marks the launch of HipPOPs aggressive growth strategy that includes development efforts in key domestic markets such as Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Denver, Philadelphia, and Portland. To fuel HipPOPs growth, the company is seeking single and multi-unit operators with foodservice and/or restaurant experience.