If you’re in the mood for diner-style pancakes for breakfast or as a snack, Pop-Tarts has an exciting new option for you. This month, the Kellogg-owned brand is launching its latest flavor innovation, Frosted Chocolatey Chip Pancake Pop-Tarts, which captures the classic taste of pancakes fresh off the griddle. Each pop-tart is filled with real chocolate chips, topped with sweet maple-flavored icing, and sprinkled with indulgent chocolate chip flakes.
“Pop-Tarts fans appreciate our ability to reinvent beloved flavors into Crazy Good toaster pastries. The new Chocolatey Chip Pancake flavor is just another example,” said Heidi Ray, senior director of marketing for Pop-Tarts. “Now, fans can savor the delightful experience of buttery, chocolatey pancakes anytime, creating a whole new realm of breakfast and snacking possibilities.” The Frosted Chocolatey Chip Pancake Pop-Tarts will debut at Walmart this month, with a nationwide rollout planned for December.
Pop-Tarts has a history of rolling out innovative flavors, as Kellogg aims to keep the brand exciting for those seeking variety. Previously, they have introduced Frosted Chocolatey Churro, Pretzel flavors, and partnered with Dunkin’ Donuts to create Frosted Chocolate Mocha and Frosted Vanilla Latte options. Pop-Tarts is a significant asset for Kellogg, generating around $800 million in sales in 2022, with a reported 8% increase in retail sales in the U.S. from the previous year. As Kellogg prepares to separate its cereal and snacks businesses, Pop-Tarts will play a crucial role in driving growth in its newly independent snacking division.
In addition to this, a plant-based Mexican food brand is introducing burrito bowl kits in Target stores across the country, catering to the back-to-school crowd and the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. The exclusive burrito kits can be prepared on the stovetop or in the microwave in under five minutes, with two flavor variations: Salsa Verde, featuring a plant-based taco filling, and Smoky Chipotle, which includes mushrooms cooked in a spiced adobo sauce alongside pinto and black beans. Each kit also includes a QR code linking to videos where co-founder Miguel Leal and his mother prepare their own burrito kits in her Monterrey, Mexico kitchen.
A recent CivicScience study found that while Italian food remains the top choice nationwide, Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly opting for Mexican cuisine. The ready-made meal market is expected to see significant growth, projected to reach $248.13 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% from 2022 to 2029. The Somos brand was founded by a group of Mexican-American friends in 2021 who wanted to provide convenient and delicious meals reflective of their heritage. “One of our goals with Somos is to encourage American consumers to cook Mexican food at home with the same ease as preparing pasta and marinara sauce,” Leal explained. “Our Bowl Kits are the perfect way for people to confidently create authentic Mexican dishes without spending hours in the kitchen.”
In another development, Kentucky Coffee, known for its coffee-flavored whiskey products, is entering the ready-to-drink (RTD) market with a new line of Hard Cold Brew cocktails made with premium whiskey and cold brew coffee. Each 12-ounce can contains 5.9% alcohol by volume and is available in three flavors: Black, Vanilla, and Mocha. Don Deubler, CEO of Atomic Brands, Kentucky Coffee’s parent company, stated, “Coffee and whiskey are beloved on their own and blend naturally. We’re thrilled to fill this gap in the RTD market.”
As consumers seek convenient options for their morning beverages, the ready-to-drink coffee market is booming, currently valued at $26.3 billion and projected to grow to $42.4 billion by 2030, according to a recent Mintel report. Kentucky Coffee isn’t the only brand launching caffeinated alcoholic beverages; Dunkin’ recently announced two lines of ready-to-drink cocktails, Spiked Iced Coffee and Spiked Iced Tea, available on the East Coast and Texas.
With all these new offerings, including the potential for adding 500 mg calcium chews to your diet, there are plenty of exciting options for consumers looking to enhance their breakfast and snacking experiences.