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.
Dolly Parton serves up new coffee brand
Country music icon Dolly Parton is introducing a new coffee brand to power consumers through their 9 to 5.
The star is teaming up with Louisiana-based Community Coffee on a new brand called Cup of Ambition, which will include light, medium and dark roast blends. The coffee will be available at nationwide retailers later this year in ground and K-Cup offerings.
“Dolly embodies the same values Community Coffee was built on: hard work, warmth, and genuine connection," Donna Saurage, the third-generation owner of Community Coffee, said in a statement. "This partnership felt right from the very first conversation, and Cup of Ambition is something our family is truly proud and honored to put our name behind."
Cup of Ambition is already available at Parton's new truck stop in Tennessee, which opened June 24 and is expected to be the "first of many" travel centers for the 80-year-old singer.
Community Coffee is the largest family-owned retail coffee brand in the U.S. As the company gears up for a national expansion of Cup of Ambition, Community Coffee named former Keurig and Campbell's veteran Chip Johnson to lead sales of Parton's brand and bring it into retailers, travel stops and coffeehouses across the country.
At-home coffee consumption reached the highest amount in 14 years, according to the National Coffee Association, as inflation and a rise in remote work pushed more consumers away from cafes.
— Sarah Zimmerman
L'Eggo my added sugar
L'Eggo my added sugar
Eggo is getting a better-for-you makeover with a new option that adds protein, but removes added sugar.
The breakfast staple is launching Eggo Zero, the brand's first-ever waffles with 0 grams of added sugar. The waffles, which are sweetened with monk fruit extract and stevia extract, come in two flavors: Buttermilk (with 12 grams of protein) and blueberry (with 11 grams of protein). Both are made with zero artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.
“Consumers are looking for more from their breakfast – they want options that fit their lifestyles without giving up the foods they grew up loving,” Cara Tragseiler, Eggo’s growth and marketing lead, said in a statement. “With Eggo Zero, we brought together the things consumers tell us matter most: great taste, protein and less sugar."
Eggo Zero Waffles will debut at retailers nationwide in July.
As consumers cut down on sugar consumption, big food brands have responded.
“No added sugar” launches grew 4% from 2020 to 2023, according to Ingredion, with brands including Oreo, Gatorade and BodyArmor launching lower- or zero-sugar options.
The White House is also preparing a strategy to encourage the food industry to lower added sugar.
The Eggo brand, which Mars acquired last year as part of its $36 billion purchase of Kellanova, has released new innovation to better resonate with another popular trend: protein. It previously rolled out Eggo waffles and pancakes with protein.
— Christopher Doering
King's Hawaiian eyes the crown in single-serve snacking
King's Hawaiian is aiming to reign supreme in snacking.
The maker of sweet breads, buns and rolls is expanding its foodservice footprint into convenience stores with the debut of its Original Hawaiian Sweet Soft Pretzel Bites at Sheetz. The launch marks King's Hawaiian's first-ever single-serve snack offering.
The bites, which will be available at more than 830 Sheetz locations in the Midwest, are pre-salted and packaged in a convenient pouch for consumers to eat on the road, during busy workdays or as an afternoon indulgence.
"The launch of our new single-serve soft Pretzel Bites format expands how consumers can enjoy King's Hawaiian beyond traditional occasions, while giving operators a premium, portable snack backed by one of the most trusted brands in bakery," Kyra Gilbert, director of brand commercialization at King's Hawaiian, said in a statement.
The U.S. snacking category now exceeds $53 billion, King's Hawaiian noted, with consumers seeking portable options that satisfy cravings without compromising on quality or taste.
King's Hawaiian said it was optimistic the new pretzel bites could break through in what has become an increasingly crowded category.
In head-to-head testing against unbranded alternatives, the bites scored higher on uniqueness and craveability, the company said, citing research conducted by Technomic. Consumers also indicated they would be willing to pay up to $0.50 more for the King's Hawaiian brand.
The pretzel bite category remains particularly robust, posting 43% menu growth in the past four years, research from Datassential showed. It has a projected 33% four-year growth trajectory.
— Christopher Doering
