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King of Pops Atlanta General Manager / Operating Partner
Fifteen years ago, my brother Nick and I started King of Pops at Buddy’s gas station on the corner of North & North Highland with a single cart and a couple thousand bucks. Somehow it worked, and the business has grown into something special.Since then, we’ve built more than a popsicle company. We’ve created and successfully exited a local food distribution business, started a farm, opened bars, launched a franchise program, delivered Christmas trees, and had a lot of fun along the way. Through it all, our pushcart business here in Atlanta has been the heart of King of Pops.To many people, King of Pops is more than a treat.
It’s a lifestyle brand, a fixture at Atlanta’s best events, and even an obsession for more than a few kids.Now Nick and I are ready to pass the baton on this part of the business. We’re looking for someone with the time, energy, and vision to show up in the way the role demands — and to be a shining example of what a great franchise can look like.We want someone to
own the next chapter of downtown Atlanta.
Not just to manage it, but to build it, grow it, and lead it as if it were their own.
Why This Role Exists
This is more than a GM job. It’s an Operating Partner opportunity. You’ll take the reins of our Downtown & Midtown territories and the Ponce City Market Bar as a standalone business — with your own P&L, your own team, and the freedom to grow beyond Atlanta.You’ll be an equal partner, earning a $75k salary + 33.3% equity in the business, with the upside of launching new territories and sharing in the profits when they succeed.We don’t want another manager. We want a collaborator who believes, like we do, that:
- Profit is good.
- Work is Fun.
- People come first.
- Culture is worth working on.
What You’ll Do
- Run the business. Own the P&L, manage accounting, and continuously improve systems.
- Build culture. Create a team that loves showing up and delivering joy.
- Grow the bar. Make the PCM Bar a destination and a training ground for hospitality done right.
- Expand territories. Grow Atlanta and launch new cities to operate long term — or resell for a profit to future franchisees.
- Plan for seasonality. Keep momentum high in summer and recharge, regroup, and get creative in winter.
Who You Are
- You’ve led teams in hospitality, food & beverage, or multi-unit operations.
- You understand both numbers and people — and can teach your team the scoreboard.
- You thrive in chaos but plan with discipline.
- You see seasonality as an opportunity to regroup and innovate.
- You’re hungry for ownership, not just a paycheck.
The Offer
- Base Salary: $75,000 + Distributions
- Equity: 33.3% equity (vested)
- Upside: Launch and resell new territories beyond Atlanta
How to Apply
We’d love to see your creativity. Along with answering the screener questions, share something that shows us who you are beyond the resume, a photo, short video, playlist, or anything else that captures your leadership style.This isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to run your own business inside a brand that Atlanta already loves.Let’s build something together.—
Steve Carse, Co-Founder of King of Pops
