In this episode of “I Am Lakeland,” host Don Burns is joined by Dwayne Hughes, the founder of Poppin Toffee, a Lakeland-based gourmet butter toffee popcorn company. Dwayne shares his inspiring “reboot” story—how he transitioned from a 20-year career in luxury car sales to launching his own business after a series of life-changing events, including being terminated during the pandemic.
Driven by a refusal to let anyone else have the power to fire him again, Dwayne returned to a business idea he had over a decade ago. He spent hundreds of hours in his garage—braving 100-degree Florida heat—to perfect his from-scratch recipes. The result is a premium product made with all-natural ingredients like real butter and sugar, avoiding the “corporate” look of mass-produced snacks.
A key highlight of the conversation is Poppin Toffee’s unique handmade process. Unlike most commercial brands that use industrial tumblers to round off popcorn, Dwayne and his team separate the popcorn by hand at over 300 degrees. This preserves the natural integrity and shape of the kernels, ensuring a perfect, delicate crunch in every bite.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a fan of local gourmet treats, this episode offers a look at the passion and perseverance behind one of Lakeland’s sweetest success stories. 70
