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Discover some exciting new product ideas in our Leftovers segment. From intriguing innovations to amazing concepts, here are a few gems that caught our eye.
Sour Patch Kids’ Sweet and Sour Strips
Mondelēz International is pushing the boundaries with their latest creation for Sour Patch Kids.
The food giant has unveiled Sour Patch Kids Strips, featuring five classic flavors of the iconic candy in a shareable strip form. Initially available at Target in September, the candy will soon be rolled out to other retailers nationwide by early 2026.
Carly Stern, brand manager at Mondelēz, commented, “We are excited to offer a fresh twist on the popular belt candy format, embodying the mischievous spirit, bold taste, and beloved sourness that only the top sour brand in the candy world can deliver. This new format provides our fans with a fun, playful way to indulge in the flavors they love.”
Sour belt strips have seen a resurgence in popularity, especially on platforms like TikTok where creators have used them to create burritos or experiment with textures through refrigeration. This trend reflects the growing interest in edible entertainment as consumers seek unique and surprising experiences while enjoying their food.
Last fall, Hershey acquired the Sour Strips brand, founded by social media personality Maxx Chewning, for $75 million. The sour candy market is projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%, according to a report from IndustryARC.
— Sarah Zimmerman
Slim Jim’s Bold Chicken Sticks with Buffalo Wild Wings
Conagra’s Slim Jim and Buffalo Wild Wings are spicing up the meat stick aisle with their new wing-inspired offerings.
Slim Jim is introducing its first-ever chicken sticks in collaboration with the popular sports bar brand, available in Buffalo Style and Hot flavors. The launch comes as the demand for convenient, protein-packed snacks continues to rise.
According to Conagra, chicken sticks have experienced an 84% growth over the past three years, making it an opportune time for Slim Jim to enter this expanding category. Dried meat snacks are the fastest-growing sub-category in the better-for-you snacking space compared to three years ago, as highlighted in a Conagra snacking report.
“We’re excited to introduce our collaboration with Slim Jim and unveil these two new chicken sticks,” said Tristan Meline, chief marketing officer at Buffalo Wild Wings. “The unique, saucy flavors that our fans adore, now presented in a chicken stick format, create a winning combination.”
Each chicken stick packs 6 grams of protein and will be available at convenience stores nationwide.
— Sarah Zimmerman
Home Run Pizza and Garrett’s Popcorn Collaboration
Popcorn takes on a new twist with a topping inspired by an unexpected source: pizza.
Garrett Popcorn Shops has teamed up with Home Run Inn Pizza to craft a popcorn flavor that rivals the taste of their renowned slice.
This ready-to-eat treat combines Garrett’s signature butterfly and mushroom kernel varieties with Home Run Inn’s “Everything But the Pizza” seasoning, featuring sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, oregano, and parmesan cheese. The result is a cheesy, tangy explosion of flavors reminiscent of enjoying a Home Run Inn cheese pizza, according to the Chicago-based companies.
“We’re delighted to collaborate with Garrett Popcorn and introduce the bold, irresistible flavor of our Home Run Inn pizza in a fun, new snack,” stated Gina Bolger, chief marketing officer at Home Run Inn. “It’s a fresh way to savor two classics in a single bite.”
The Garrett Popcorn Chicago Pizza variety, launching nationwide, is now available in select retail outlets.
The 76-year-old snack brand is no stranger to innovative partnerships, having previously collaborated with Revolution Brewing in Chicago on a limited-release CaramelCrisp Ale made with 450 pounds of their CaramelCrisp Popcorn.
Popcorn seasonings have gained popularity as consumers seek to customize their fluffy snack. Annual sales have reached $67 million and are growing at a double-digit rate, as reported by Circana data cited by Conagra Brands.
— Christopher Doering