The fast-food chain White Castle is making a bigger splash in the frozen food section with the nationwide introduction of its latest retail product, Castle Bites. These bites are crafted from real beef and onions, reminiscent of White Castle’s beloved Slider hamburgers, and are enveloped in a crispy crust. Castle Bites come in two flavors—Cheeseburger and Hamburger—and are offered in 18-ounce stand-up bags as well as 40-ounce party packs.
Based in Ohio, White Castle operates 368 restaurant locations across 14 states and has successfully broadened its brand presence nationally through the launch of retail products. Castle Bites, which bear a resemblance to General Mills’ Totino’s Pizza Rolls, are produced in collaboration with frozen food company Bellisio Foods. They complement another consumer packaged goods product that White Castle rolled out with Bellisio this summer: a freezer-aisle version of the popular Chicken Rings. Additionally, White Castle offers frozen Sliders in all 50 states.
Founded in 1921 with its first restaurant in Wichita, Kansas, White Castle claims to be the original fast-food burger establishment, having sold 6 billion of its signature Slider burgers. In recent years, the chain has ventured into new markets such as Florida and Arizona, following record attendance at grand openings in both areas. The frozen appetizer and snack segment, particularly snack rolls, has experienced notable growth since the pandemic began, and this trend appears set to continue. According to IRI data shared by Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, the frozen appetizer and snack category surged by 10.6% to reach $3.5 billion in the 52 weeks ending April 17, 2022, marking a second consecutive year of double-digit growth.
In another development, Eat the Change is launching Organic Carrot Chews aimed at adults, expanding on a similar product for kids that debuted earlier this year. Founded by Honest Tea co-founder Seth Goldman and celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn, these chews are made with just four ingredients, primarily organic carrots and organic fruit juice. Each 4.32-ounce multiserve pouch provides vitamin A, 2 grams of fiber, and 130 calories per serving, available in three flavors: Ginger Turmeric, Maple Cardamom, and Meyer Lemon. The suggested retail price ranges between $6.49 and $6.99, and they can be purchased on Eat the Change’s website.
Goldman noted, “Following the successful launch of Cosmic Carrot Chews, our new lunchbox treat for kids, we recognized an opportunity to create a snack that caters to adults of all ages. Consumers are increasingly seeking convenient and tasty ways to incorporate more vegetables into their diets.” Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that adults are falling short of their recommended fruit and vegetable intake, with only 9% consuming the advised amount of vegetables and 12% the recommended amount of fruit.
Food and beverage companies are actively looking to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their products to appeal to health-conscious consumers striving for better nutrition. For instance, Salt & Straw has introduced unique ice cream flavors featuring spinach, fennel, corn, and carrots. Meanwhile, Mondelēz International’s Dirt Kitchen has created bars with ingredients ranging from tomatoes and beets to pumpkin seeds and carrots.
In a different vein, Zaxby’s has teamed up with Alabama-based popsicle maker Frios to introduce an unconventional frozen treat: “Saucesicles.” Available starting September 19, these popsicles are inspired by Zaxby’s signature dipping sauces, offering fans a new way to enjoy their favorite flavors. Patrick Schwing, chief marketing and strategy officer at Zaxby’s, stated, “Saucesicles were created for our most loyal fans who can’t get enough of our signature sauces.”
The Zax Sauce popsicle features a sweet and tangy blend of spices, while the Tongue Torch variety provides a mild tomato base with hints of garlic, paprika, turmeric, and lime. However, it remains to be seen whether consumers will embrace sauce in popsicle form.
Zaxby’s is not alone in experimenting with unusual frozen desserts; earlier this summer, McCormick’s French’s brand in Canada launched the “Frenchsicle,” a ketchup-flavored popsicle. While surveys indicated that many Canadians enjoy ketchup, social media reactions were largely negative. Additionally, Kraft Heinz’s Oscar Mayer brand collaborated with Popbar to create the Cold Dog, a frozen treat resembling an Oscar Mayer wiener. Although reactions were mixed, some reviews were positive.
In light of the growing demand for healthier snack options, products like Castle Bites and Organic Carrot Chews highlight the increasing consumer interest in nutritious alternatives. Integrating ingredients that provide essential nutrients, such as nature’s blend calcium citrate with vitamin D, could further enhance these offerings and appeal to a health-conscious audience.