A new franchise popped up at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and Doc Popcorn is letting mall shoppers in on a traditional movie theater treat.

Its first Montgomery County Pop-Kiosk franchise, Doc Popcorn offers fresh-popped, all-natural flavored popcorn made in 100 percent corn oil. Gourmet flavors range from cheesy cheddar to sinfully cinnamon and hoppin Jalapeño.

The husband and wife team of Bill and Kim Gaines opened up the location across from Benneton on the second level of the mall on November 15. It is just the second Doc Popcorn franchise in the state with another at the White Marsh Mall.

Gaines has been an entrepreneur for years starting in the computer service and then into the investment industry. He said he found the Doc Popcorn franchise while researching investment opportunities.

“I was looking for something different,” he said.

He picked Montgomery Mall for its high traffic location. 

“We think it is a good spot for this concept,” he said.

The popcorn is served in individual bags and holiday tins. Customers can chose to mix flavors or stick with their favorite.

Gaines said his favorite is a mix of the sweet butter flavor and classic kettle.

“We come home smelling like buttered popcorn. Actually the aroma of the popcorn in the mall is our strongest selling point,” he said. 

A large bag of about a dozen cups of the popped kernels costs $4.50; the smaller bag costs $4. A 3.5-gallon tin runs $40, with a smaller version available for $15.