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.
Chips Ahoy! goes overboard for jumbo-size cookies
Chips Ahoy! is thinking big.
The Mondelēz International-owned brand is launching a big chewy version of its iconic chocolate chip cookie that is three times larger than the original.
The jumbo cookie contains more than four times the chocolate chips than the traditional Chips Ahoy! Chewy cookie.
The larger version of the 61-year-old classic chocolate chip cookie is available in three flavors, traditional, Chocolatey Brownie and Chocolatey Caramel.
“From our original cookies to our newest innovations, Chips Ahoy! fans have long enjoyed our iconic brand and mouthwatering flavors,” Jen Levin, senior brand manager for Chips Ahoy! US, said in a statement. “With the launch of Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookies, we’re excited to be their on-the-go cookie choice as well, offering indulgence and happiness in each big, delicious bite”
In recent years, the $1 billion Chips Ahoy! brand has attracted broad interest from Gen Z consumers who are looking for a sweet indulgent treat.
Its popularity among younger individuals, coupled with a rising interest in snacks among the broader population, has made Chips Ahoy! one of Mondelēz’s fastest-growing brands. Sales have been increasing “double digits” annually.
Chips Ahoy! is a dominant force in the chocolate chip cookie space, with more than a 53% share of the market, the snacking company said.
Mondelēz has moved aggressively in recent years to extend the cookie’s reach into other flavors and formats, including Thins, Red Velvet, S’mores, Minis and offerings loaded with Hershey’s chocolate or Reese’s.
—Christopher Doering
Optional Caption
Courtesy of Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Lifeway turns to trendy flavors
A leading brand in the cultured dairy space aims to make a splash with ten new flavors of its kefir.
Lifeway Foods announced the new flavors of its fermented milk drinks, citing the growth of lactose-free, probiotic products as an indicator of heightened demand for its flavors. The drinks are available in 8-ounce bottles, designed for on-the-go consumption.
The new flavor lineup includes: Pink Dragon Fruit, Passionfruit Lychee, Hot Honey, Guava Jackfruit, Coconut Pineapple, Pistachio Rose Vanilla, Grapefruit Elderflower, Wild Blueberry Lavender, Taro Ube Latte and Matcha Latte. They are available now nationwide.
In the press release, Lifeway said it is capitalizing on unique trends on the rise with young people, including “swicy” tastes and the growing popularity of Asian flavors. Ube, one of the flavors listed, was named the flavor of 2024 by Japanese ingredients maker T. Hasegawa USA, noting its bright purple hue and nutty, sweet taste.
“These new Lifeway Kefirs in trendy flavor profiles are perfect for convenience stores and college campuses as well as mass market grocery and club channels looking to stay ahead of trends exploding in hospitality and on social media,” Julie Smolyansky, Lifeway’s CEO, said in a statement.
The fermented dairy space continues to broaden its reach as consumers look for gut healthy alternatives to yogurts perceived as having less of a health halo. The kefir category is projected to be worth $1.8 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%, according to Future Market Insights.
—Chris Casey
Optional Caption
Permission granted by Bobo’s
Bobo’s bites into figs with new product line
Colorado-based snack brand Bobo’s is tapping a new star ingredient for its latest product line.
The company’s fig bars will be available at Whole Foods Markets and Amazon starting this month.
The new bars come in two varieties – Original Fig and Blueberry Fig. Bobo’s hopes they are able to elevate the brand into a prominent name in the better-for-you snacking category.
“These have been a much-awaited addition to our product lineup and our goal is to continue to showcase Bobo’s dedication to innovation and quality,” said CEO TJ McIntyre in a press release, adding that the new addition will help the company meet a growing demand for healthier snack options.
Consumers have been watching more closely what they eat and food manufacturers are responding with products that have fewer ingredients.
A recent HealthFocus International report found that people approach snacks with the same scrutiny as their meal choices, expecting healthier options, even in indulgent categories.
The Bobo’s brand began almost 20 years ago when mother-daughter duo Beryl and Alex “Bobo” Stafford baked a batch of oat bars and had the idea of bringing them to a wider range of consumers.
The company then relaunched in 2016 with new packaging and flavors as well as a new CEO in McIntyre, who had led Colorado’s natural products industry for over two decades.
Bobo’s now has over 28 oat bar varieties from Peanut Butter Chocolate chip to Peach, Cinnamon Raisin Oat and more.
In August 2023, Bobo’s partnered with Loveland, a Colorado-based bakery and warehouse to increase its capacity.
Bobo’s now has two categories in its business, Lunch Box which features “oat treats” such as Gingerbread Oat Bites and Strawberry PB&J Oat Snacks, and Snack Bars, which now have both oat and fig bars.
—Elizabeth Flood