Viral TikTok franchise Kong Dog opens in Gretna

The transformation of the previous Auntie Anne’s into Kong Dog warranted a complete rework. What was as soon as a well-recognized pretzel haven now stands as a vibrant and trendy house, beckoning foodies.

As phrase unfold of the free Kong Dogs for the primary 200 prospects Friday, the road snaked across the outside mall, with patrons eagerly anticipating their flip to style the twist on a basic deal with. Some waited patiently for over two hours, fueled by the promise of a taste explosion on a stick.

Kong Dog isn’t the typical American stadium-food staple you may think. It gives a rainbow of customizable flavors, from fruity pebbles to sizzling Cheetos coating your alternative of mozzarella or meat — all on a stick.

Kong Dog’s specialty is Korean corn dogs, a snack that surged in reputation in South Korea within the early 2000s.

Kong Dog rose in reputation, partly, due to its social media technique, with greater than 770,000 TikTok likes on the corporate’s web page. Cheese pull movies alone have garnered greater than 14 million views.

The firm capitalized on this reputation by introducing fundraising alternatives for charities referred to as “Stretch for a Change,” the place people can host a fundraiser with Kong Dog, with 10% of the proceeds allotted to the organizer’s chosen charity.

Kong Dog additionally has areas in Massachusetts, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia, New Jersey, Rhode Island and North Carolina. Additionally, it plans 37 new areas throughout the U.S.

While the Korean corn canine takes middle stage, Kong Dog gives extra. The franchise additionally options Boba Tea, one other stylish drink from the Asian market that has made waves within the U.S. since its introduction to the States within the Nineteen Nineties.

Boba Tea, also called “Bubble Tea,” is a flavored milk tea containing tapioca balls, that are edible translucent spheres produced from tapioca, a starch derived from the cassava root. At Kong Dog, you may get pleasure from plain, brown sugar and strawberry matcha boba choices, alongside lemonades, Iced Ube Latte and sparking-ades.

Kong Dog is open from 11 a.m. to the mall’s closing time of 8 p.m. day by day.