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.
Totino’s taps Asian cuisine for latest snack
Pizza snacks maker Totino’s is bringing a popular Asian dish to the freezer aisle in a bite-sized form.
The brand is debuting Orange Chicken Pizza Rolls at grocery stores nationwide. It consists of chicken with a “sweet and spicy orange sauce,” Totino’s said.
The Totino’s product is a collaboration with FaZe Clan, an esports organization. It is the brand’s second item released with in partnership with the group after Buffalo Chicken Pizza Rolls in 2022.
“After our successful Buffalo Chicken launch with FaZe Clan last year, we knew we had to create something extra special next that would not only excite our fans’ taste buds, but also perfectly complement the rush of gaming,” said Taylor Roseberry, Totino’s brand experience manager.
The sports connection is a fitting strategy for Totino’s, given the popularity of snacks among gamers. According to survey data released by NewZoo in 2020, 80% of gamers reported that they snack while playing their favorite games, with 60% of teen gamers saying that they prefer salty snacks.
Orange chicken is made with a sauce consisting of orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger and zest. Chinese-American restaurant chain Panda Express popularized the dish. The chain claims its onetime executive chef Andy Khao invented it for its menus, by combining fried chicken with Asian citrusy flavors, in Hawaii in 1987.
— Chris Casey
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Permission granted by Snyder’s of Hanover
Snyder’s unveils Oktoberfest ring pretzels
Just in time for the start of fall, a leading pretzel brand created rings that are infused with beer flavorings.
Summer may be in full swing for a few more weeks, but Campbell Soup Company’s Snyder’s of Hanover is jumping into fall with the release of their limited-edition beer flavored Oktoberfest Rings.
The rings are now available at retailers throughout the U.S. such as Target, Walmart, and Kroger.
This will be the first ring-shaped pretzel for the 100-year-old brand, which makes traditional pretzels in addition to shapes including sticks, rounds and braided twists.
The company partnered with Captain Brewing Co. to achieve the Oktoberfest pairing, and also created “Snyder Bier” which comes in two flavors, Pretzel Marzen and Pretzel Frucht.
The pretzel rings will have subtle malted barley notes “masterfully uniting with that signature Snyder’s of Hanover crunch,” according to the brand.
This is the latest flavor launch by Snyder’s of Hanover, which last month also recently unveiled a Nashville Hot Honey pieces flavor seasoned with chili pepper and a touch of tangy pickle.
The brand has been under the ownership of Campbell since 2017, when the soup giant landed a $4.9 billion deal to acquire Snyder’s-Lance, the maker of Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, Kettle chips and Pop Secret popcorn.
— Elizabeth Flood
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Courtesy of Sabra
Sabra dips into bold flavors
Sabra is adding a kick to the hummus category through collaborations with some of America’s favorite bold-flavored brands.
Sabra’s newest varieties take snack time to the next level, offering heat, smoke, spice and Texas-style barbeque. The 37-year-old brand, which is co-owned as a joint venture between Strauss Group and PepsiCo, is debuting Sabra Buffalo Hummus made with Frank’s RedHot, Sabra BBQ Hummus inspired by Stubb’s and Sabra Southwest Hummus.
The launch is the first in a series of bold-flavor innovations from Sabra that are aimed at satisfying snacking occasions beyond basic hummus and guacamole offerings.
“As we reach for snacks more often, we want more from them… more intense flavor, more satisfying textures, more fulfilling options,” Olugbenga Diyaolu, Sabra’s global chief research, development and sustainability officer, said in a statement.
Part of Sabra’s future growth plans hinges on taking the brand beyond its roots as an offering at a party or holiday gathering and turning it into something more people eat in their daily routine as a snack or during meals – a goal the company is targeting with the relationship with well-known brands such as Frank’s RedHot and Stubb’s BBQ.
In its latest launch, Sabra Buffalo Hummus brings heat that helps satisfy an afternoon taco craving while BBQ Hummus combines a bit of sweet and heat to the dip, the company noted.
Sabra, the leader in the hummus category, said last year that the brand is recognized by 80% of consumers, but roughly 85% of them only buy the product a few times a year, according to the company.
“We’ve got this great brand with lots of reach and lots of opportunity,” Joey Bergstein, Sabra’s CEO, told Food Dive in 2022
The market for hummus, which is largely used with crackers and vegetables, is a fast-growing category. The global market for the chickpea-based product is predicted to grow from $2.95 billion in 2021 to $6.6 billion in 2028, a compound annual growth rate of 12.7%, according to Business Market Insights, due largely to the increase in snacking and demand for healthier food.
— Christopher Doering
