Meet Rolston Gabriel | Vegan & Gluten-free Gourmet Kettle Corn Company

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rolston Gabriel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rolston, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Queen City Poppin is more than just a tasty snack—it’s a deliciously balanced, vegan, and

gluten-free option that combines a sweet, salty, and buttery flavor to bring joy to our customers

while prioritizing their health. Popcorn is a natural source of fiber, which can support heart health

and overall wellness, and we’re committed to offering a snack that aligns with these benefits for

our local community and customers worldwide.

Additionally, we partner with Exposure Project, an organization focused on empowering and

transforming the lives of middle and high school youth. Through this program, we mentor young

people in entrepreneurial skills and give them hands-on experience in all aspects of running a

business—from setup and cooking the kettle corn to customer service and clean-up. We’re

proud to support the next generation’s growth by fostering confidence, responsibility, and a

firsthand understanding of business.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m incredibly excited about the growth and direction of Queen City Poppin. We started with just
a tent and popcorn on the street, and in six years, we’ve expanded to e-commerce, supplying
local retailers, and building partnerships with brands like Amazon, Bank of America, and
NASCAR. We also opened a Queen City Poppin storefront in Charlotte’s University neighborhood, and we are on track to host our grand opening this month! It’s deeply rewarding to see the love for our product. One of the best compliments I
hear is, ‘This is the best popcorn I’ve ever had.’ Loyal repeat customers and first-time fans alike
remind us why we do what we do.
This journey has truly been a leap of faith. In September 2018, shortly after my father passed, I
followed my heart and invested much of my savings in a kettle corn and lemonade machine.
Our first event at Johnson C. Smith University’s homecoming that October was met with
overwhelming enthusiasm, and from there, I felt the drive to keep moving forward. A friend with
a storefront in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood allowed me to set up in front of her shop, and we
quickly became a favorite stop among the community. During this time, I was working a full-time
job, but just six months later, the company I worked for dissolved, allowing me to fully focus on
Queen City Poppin.
One of our biggest challenges was the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. With in-person events
paused, we pivoted to delivery and online orders, but it wasn’t enough to match pre-pandemic
income. Fortunately, a friend introduced our product to Amazon, which led to a large employee
order. After enjoying our product, Amazon made two additional bulk orders, which helped fill the
revenue gap we were facing. This experience taught me the importance of resilience,
consistency, and belief in my vision to overcome challenges.
What I want the world to know about Queen City Poppin is that we prioritize health with every
ingredient we use. We’re proud to offer a snack that’s not only delicious but also vegan and
gluten-free. What we put into our bodies shapes our future, and we want to give our customers
a snack they can feel good about. Plus, it’s simply the best kettle corn on earth!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Charlotte, I’d start by taking them to Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish
on Dalton Ave. for lunch — it’s hands down the best soul food in the city! After that, we’d head
to Sneak Clt in Elizabeth for some expertly crafted cocktails and good conversation. It’s an
intimate, locally-owned bar with a cozy, elevated vibe that’s perfect for unwinding and catching
up with friends. For some excitement, we’d catch a Charlotte Hornets game to soak in the high
energy and city pride for our live sports. To cap off the night, we’d relax with views at Novelty
House, a stylish rooftop cocktail bar with a fantastic ambiance.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to express my deepest gratitude to my dad, who taught me how to make popcorn and
who dreamed with me about starting a popcorn business. Although he is no longer here, his
vision planted the seed that grew into Queen City Poppin. His passing reminded me of how
precious time is and inspired me to bring our shared dream to life. This business is dedicated to
honoring his life and legacy.
I also want to thank my mom for her unwavering support throughout my entrepreneurial journey.
She has been my biggest encourager, stepping in with exactly the help I needed and often
more. She’s truly the MVP of this endeavor.
Finally, thank you to all my supporters. Queen City Poppin wouldn’t be here without you. I am
humbled that over 190,000 voters in Charlotte recognized us as the city’s best popcorn, and I
am deeply grateful for every customer who has purchased a bag. Thank you for making this

dream possible.

Website: https://www.Queencitypoppin.com

Instagram: @Queencitypoppin

Facebook: Queen City Poppin

Other: Google Reviews
https://g.co/kgs/gB8Y9Fm

Image Credits
Myself