The twentieth anniversary of Mr. Puffs, the company specializing in the official dessert of the Olympics – loukoumades, is marked by an Olympian frenzy. This local gem is well on its way to global domination.
We interviewed founder Pandelis Siounis and CEO Dimitri Georgoulas to learn more about their journey.
In 2004, fresh out of hotel management school, Greek-born Pandelis Siounis dreamt of starting his own business. “Athens was hosting the Olympic Games and having worked in several Greek restaurants that served loukoumades, I got the idea to create a company specialising in these traditional Greek donuts,” he recalls. Thus, Mr. Puffs was born, marketing the very treats that were distributed at the Olympics over 2,000 years ago.
It’s fair to say that Canadians have been quick to adopt these little morsels. After being sold under a tent at events and festivals, in a food truck, and then at the first branch in Quebec, Puffs made a notable appearance on the Dragon’s Den television show.
Giant strides
Since 2016, 72 franchises have been opened, including 46 in Quebec and 26 in Ontario. Mr. Georgoulas, CEO of Mr. Puffs, assures us that the company is focused on establishing a presence in all Canadian provinces, but major efforts are currently underway to expand globally. The first international franchise will soon open in Austin, Texas. Convinced that the U.S. market could be fertile ground for the company, the team is making every effort to study it thoroughly and position itself in the best possible way. Europe, North Africa, and West Asia are also in the company’s sights.
“Over 250 million Puffs have been sold to date. If you put them end to end, you could stretch across Canada from one ocean to the other. Our goal is to go across the world!”
— Dimitri Georgoulas, CEO, Mr. Puffs
Giving back
Acknowledging the warm welcome it has received from consumers over the years, the Mr. Puffs team seizes every opportunity to give back. “During the pandemic, we froze franchisee loyalty rates and filled trucks with Puffs to distribute to essential workers,” says Mr. Georgoulas.
Mr. Puffs has also made significant donations to several foundations, including over $250,000 for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis research, and $150,000 for youth soccer. “We’re proud to have achieved a level of success that allows us to give back to the community,” Mr. Georgoulas adds. “With the current difficult economic climate, we’ve also decided not to increase our in-store prices this year.”
Leader in the dessert industry
For the past 20 years, the basic recipe of Mr. Puffs has remained the same. Egg and milk-free, the Canadian company’s loukoumades are light and fresh, and the available toppings can be decadent. It’s this feeling of biting into a little cloud that inspired the company’s name. Despite this consistency, there has been a remarkable evolution in the range of products on offer.
Mr. Puffs has become a full-service dessert bar, serving delicious loukoumades, as well as ice cream and coffee. As part of its ongoing drive for innovation, the company is currently running a pilot project to offer spreads for sale in grocery stores.
“I’m proud of the team behind this Canadian company, and when I see people sharing photos of their family celebrations with a box of puffs on the table, it warms my heart,” Mr. Georgoulas says. “The success of Mr. Puffs would not be possible without the loyalty of our customers and the hard work of our franchisees.”
Thank you for being part of this adventure. To 20 years of success and many more to come !
The Mr. Puffs Team
