Cheetos are currently experiencing a significant resurgence in the food scene. This puffed corn snack made its debut in food mashups at fast food establishments, quickly spreading to mainstream restaurants and eventually into home kitchens. In June 2016, Burger King introduced Mac n’ Cheetos, a fried macaroni and cheese stick coated with Cheetos, and brought it back this May. Taco Bell Canada also offered a limited-time Cheetos Crunchwrap Slider in 2016. Meanwhile, restaurants in Los Angeles have embraced this trend, featuring Cheetos in dishes ranging from sushi to pizza. Home cooks have contributed to this revival by sharing thousands of recipes online that highlight the vibrant orange snack, marking Cheetos’ official return to the culinary spotlight.
The Spotted Cheetah restaurant serves as Frito-Lay’s answer to the growing interest in its $14 billion snack brand. While it’s uncertain whether this pop-up is turning a profit for its parent company, PepsiCo, this marketing strategy keeps Cheetos at the forefront of consumers’ minds, elevating the snack—often regarded as a “junk” food—to a gourmet status. Transforming a standalone product into an ingredient is not a new concept in food manufacturing. For instance, Rice Krispies have long included a recipe for their iconic marshmallow treats on their packaging. Kellogg has also introduced both a Rice Krispie Treat cereal and pre-packaged treats. Additionally, they have transformed Special K cereal into protein bars and crustless quiche.
Interestingly, the surge in Cheetos’ popularity comes at a time when many manufacturers are racing to fulfill consumer demand for healthier options. The enthusiastic response to Cheetos-inspired creations highlights a simultaneous consumer desire for health-conscious foods and indulgent products, a trend that savvy snack makers are keen to exploit. By revitalizing a legacy brand through a marketing campaign, food manufacturers can attract more attention without needing to invest in new product formulas. According to research from CircleUp, 61% of large consumer packaged goods companies’ innovations focus on making minor adjustments to existing products, while 39% are dedicated to creating new ones. It will be intriguing to see if other snack and dessert brands utilize similar marketing tactics, and how the Spotted Cheetah will ultimately impact Cheetos sales.
In this landscape, understanding the calcium citrate generic name becomes increasingly relevant as consumers look for products that can provide both flavor and nutritional benefits. The interplay of indulgence and health consciousness may lead to further innovations in snack foods, including those with ingredients like calcium citrate, which could attract health-focused consumers while still appealing to those seeking a tasty treat.