Rocket Fizz Fayetteville recently celebrated ten years the way they’ve always done business — with mystery candy bags, soda surprises, and the kind of warmth that turns first-time visitors into lifelong customers.
Co-owners Ann Wiremalm Sims and Ineke Morris marked a decade of fizz, fun, and friendship. And like most great Rocket Fizz stories, theirs starts with an episode of Undercover Boss, a leap of faith, and a quiet conviction that Fayetteville needed a little more sweetness in its life.
A Story That Started With a TV Episode
Ann’s path to franchise ownership wasn’t planned. As a military spouse who had stayed home with her children, she was looking for her next chapter as her husband’s retirement approached. Then one night, Undercover Boss featured Rocket Fizz — and something clicked.
“Once we watched that episode, we looked into other franchises as well,” Ann recalled. “But we kept thinking, ‘Fayetteville doesn’t have anything like Rocket Fizz.’ And we thought a candy store looked fun.”
That spark of an idea became Rocket Fizz Fayetteville, which opened its doors in 2015 at 1916 Skibo Road. It took time to build awareness in the community, but the brand grew naturally — one happy customer at a time.
“When we would talk to people and tell them what we were doing, they’d say, ‘We’ve already heard of that place! We’ve been there and love it!'” Ann shared. “That’s one of the most wonderful things to hear.”
A Partnership Built on Shared Roots
Almost from day one, Ann hired a storefront manager — a mutual friend’s recommendation named Ineke Morris. The fit was instant, and the parallels were uncanny.
“She was kind of in the same situation as myself. Her husband was retired Air Force, and we’re both Europeans,” Ann explained. “She’s from the Netherlands, and I’m from Sweden.”
Ann handled the numbers behind the scenes; Ineke ran the store. About two years in, when Ineke and her husband started thinking about opening their own Rocket Fizz, Ann saw an even better option.
“I said, ‘Well, why don’t you join forces with us instead?’ That’s how we became co-owners — and ever since then we’ve run the place together.”
The Customers Who Make It All Worth It
Ten years of pouring sodas and bagging candy adds up to a lot of stories — and Ann remembers them.
There was the bride and groom who ordered Rocket Fizz’s custom-labeled soda cans for their wedding. Years later, even after moving away from Fayetteville, they still send Ann and Ineke holiday cards every Thanksgiving and Christmas.
There was the older customer who came in regularly with her daughters, buying ten small mystery bags and one large one — every single time, like clockwork.
“There are certain customers that you will never forget,” Ann said.
That’s the magic of a place like Rocket Fizz. It’s not just a candy store. It’s a place where bad days turn good, where childhood memories come rushing back, and where strangers become friends over a bottle of bacon soda.
“It’s a happy place,” Ann explained. “When people walk in, you cannot be in a bad mood.”
The Story That Keeps Going
Ann and Ineke’s ten-year journey is exactly the kind of story that’s powered Rocket Fizz’s growth to more than 100 locations across North America. Owners who treat their stores like home. Customers who become family. Communities that show up year after year because the experience can’t be replicated anywhere else.
For entrepreneurs Ann’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you find a business model that fits the life you actually want to live.
When asked what she hopes for the next decade, Ann’s answer was simple: “I hope we will be around to make people happy for another 10 years at least.”
Stop by Rocket Fizz Fayetteville at 1916 Skibo Road to help celebrate. And, if Ann and Ineke’s story has you thinking about your own Rocket Fizz future, contact us to learn more about franchise opportunities.