Leftovers is our look at a few of the product ideas popping up everywhere. Some are intriguing, some sound amazing and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write about everything that we get pitched, so here are some leftovers pulled from our inboxes.
Pringles goes for the score with Super Bowl launch
Superbowl snacks are the inspiration for Kellanova’s newest Pringles flavors, which also include an unusual partnership with Miller Lite.
Pringles is launching a Loaded Potato Skins flavor and bringing back its 7-Layer Dip option at retailers nationwide in late February. Starting in May, the brand will release a new Pringles x Miller Lite Beer Can Chicken flavor. The new Pringles flavor allows the chip to tap into the popularity of beer can chicken, a common tailgate recipe in the South.
Molson Coors has introduced other novel products through partnerships that help draw attention to its brands outside of the customary alcohol space. Previous launches include Coors Light lollipops, a Blue Moon ice cream flavor and Miller High Life-infused chocolates.
Pringles teased the launch of even more flavors this summer. Last October, the brand announced it would bring back a fan-favorite Dill Pickle flavor and rerelease its partnership with the YouTube talk show Hot Ones.
Ahead of its latest releases, Pringles unveiled a Super Bowl ad with celebrities Adam Brody and Nick Offerman, alongside basketball star James Harden and Kansas City Chiefs Coach Andy Reid.
—Sarah Zimmerman
Ferrero casts a spell with ‘Harry Potter’-inspired Keebler cookies
The latest Keebler cookie aims to harness the magic of a popular book and movie series.
Ferrero announced Harry Potter Butterbeer Fudges Stripes Cookies, inspired by the fantasy series’ “sweet and frothy” beverage. The cookie contains “Butterbeer” flavored fudge, resembling the taste of cream soda and butterscotch, according to the press release.
“Our goal is to spread magic to families in delicious ways that create more meaningful moments and what better way to do so than to partner with a franchise that’s all about magic,” Kim Thomas, the brand manager for Keebler Fun Stripes, said in a statement.
The Keebler cookie flavor is available at stores nationwide.
The cookies are not the only new product licensing the iconic drink from the popular book and film series.
Warner Brothers is licensing Butterbeer in a variety of CPG foods for a limited time between March and May. This lineup includes Goldfish Butterbeer Flavored Grahams, alongside partnerships with Hershey’s Kisses and SkinnyPop.
Ever since the series shot to success in the late ’90s, Harry Potter’s intellectual property has fueled many food and beverage product tie-ins, often based on the fantastical flavors of Hogwarts. Jelly Belly first debuted Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans — inspired by a fictional confectioner in the book — in 2000 with some vile-sounding varieties such as dirt, vomit and earwax.
—Chris Casey
Hormel brings the heat to larger gatherings
As consumers gather for the Super Bowl and other events this year, Hormel Foods is looking to make them a little spicier.
The Minnesota company is introducing its Hormel Gatherings Bold and Spicy Tray that not only includes pepper jack and mild cheddar cheeses, along with crackers, but also taps into the heat trend with jalapeno pepperoni and spicy salami.
The 28-ounce Hormel Gatherings Bold and Spicy Tray is currently only available at Walmart, but Hormel plans to bring it to additional retailers nationwide this spring.
Rhonda Ihrke, a brand manager at Hormel Foods, said the new tray hits on several trends within the food space.
Nearly a quarter of consumers are snacking more, and 43% of households are looking to try new flavors, she said. The Hormel Gatherings Bold and Spicy Tray also benefits from growing consumer interest in convenience because all the preparation is done in advance.
Spicy foods are popular with younger generations and other consumers who not only like the heat but also want to enjoy healthier snack options without sacrificing flavor. Last year, a survey by NC Solutions found 62% of consumers indicated they are more likely to buy a food or beverage item if it is advertised as spicy.
Ihrke noted it has been several years since the party tray category has seen meaningful innovation.
“We’ve sort of invented the category. We’re leading the category. We’re driving the category,” Ihrke said. “There really hasn’t been a lot of innovation, and that’s why we’re excited to bring this new flavor, especially for consumers who are flavor variety of seekers.”
Gatherings was introduced by Hormel in 2012. Today, it has a 61% share of dollar sales in the party tray space, according to Circana data.
Hormel is looking to grow Gatherings by exploring other forms of packaging, marketing and merchandising, as well as more portable options.
Our newest offering “is just sort of at the early [stage] of what this brand has prepared for the next couple of years,” Ihrke said.
—Christopher Doering