Kraft Mac & Cheese Introduces Everything Bagel Flavor
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.
Kraft Mac & Cheese smears on bagel seasoning
Kraft Heinz’s famous Mac & Cheese is turning to bagels for inspiration. The popular offering is introducing Kraft Mac & Cheese Everything Bagel flavor. The limited-edition flavor was developed as part of Kraft Mac & Cheese’s new flavor-focused expansion pilot.
During the next year, the brand plans to release more small-batch e-commerce launches, limited-edition in-store products and permanent additions to the portfolio. Kraft Heinz is currently testing more than 60 potential new flavors.
The flurry of new product launches comes as Gen Z and other consumers look for new and unexpected flavors from their favorite food brands. It also coincides with growth in flavored mac & cheese that has outpaced total mac & cheese category growth by 7x over the last few years, according to IRI.
“Our goal is to introduce new products that deliver on what our fans are craving,” Sara Roashan, associate director of innovation for Kraft Mac & Cheese, said in a statement.
Kit Kat Santas Now Available
The rectangular Kit Kat is taking on a more seasonal image this holiday. Hershey is launching the first-ever seasonal shape for the popular confection with Kit Kat Santas. The limited-time offering is adorned with imprinted boots, a jolly smile and an even crispier wafer-to-chocolate ratio than a traditional Kit Kat bar.
The Kit Kat Santas are available at nationwide retailers in 8.85-ounce snack-size bags. Hershey is also partnering with Simon Property Group to give people visiting Santa in three malls a free Kit Kat for being on the “Nice List.”
“Our first-ever shape, KIT KAT Santas, builds on the KIT KAT brand’s product portfolio to offer a new way to bring fun to consumers,” Scott Sorensen, Kit Kat’s associate manager, said in a statement.
While Kit Kat has introduced different flavor variations of the chocolate wafer bar, the new shape is a notable change. More unique Kit Kat shapes will likely be released by Hershey to coincide with other major holidays and occasions.
Hershey has used a similar strategy with its multi-billion dollar Reese’s brand. The chocolate-covered peanut butter cup introduced its first unique shape with Reese’s Egg in 1966. Since then, it has introduced everything from trees and hearts to pumpkins, ghosts and even ugly sweaters.