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.
Hershey’s fills up on fillings
The Hershey's brand is bringing a creamy twist to its iconic chocolate bar.
The confection is launching Hershey's Creme Bars that are made with milk chocolate and creme fillings. The offering is available in two varieties: Salted Caramel and Affogato.
Hershey said the new Creme Bars build on a strategy to add new flavor experiences. Fans will have opportunities to try the bars through sampling and pop-up experiences this fall. Hershey's is also teaming up with girl group KATSEYE for a new campaign to promote the product.
"This Hershey’s Creme Bar launch is more than introducing a new chocolate bar," said Katrina Vatter, senior brand manager with The Hershey Company. "From the trend-forward flavors to our partnership with KATSEYE, Hershey's Creme Bars were designed to inspire discovery, self-expression, and shareable moments that feel uniquely your own.”
Hershey said Salted Caramel combines a rich caramel flavor with balanced sweetness and a creamy, melty bite, while Affogato delivers coffeehouse-inspired twist with a dual-layer filling featuring espresso-flavored caramel and sweet vanilla creme.
Different fillings and texture experiences – ranging from wafers and nougat to caramel – have grown in popularity among major confection companies such as Mondelēz International and Hershey as a way incorporate new experiences and flavor profiles into their brands.
While much of the recent attention at Hershey has focused on its fast-growing salty snacks business, the snacks maker has continued to focus on innovation in its sweets business, too. During the last few years, Hershey has rolled out Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried, Reese’s PB&J cups and Reese’s Oreo, the last of which is part of a partnership with Mondelēz International.
— Christopher Doering
Red Baron makes waves in microwave pizza
Red Baron is making frozen pizza more convenient with a shareable pie that can be microwaved.
Red Baron Crunchtime is a 10-inch, multi-serve pizza that is ready after five minutes. Unlike other microwaved single-serve pizzas, owner CJ Schwan's is positioning the offering as a way to enjoy a full-size pie without compromising on texture or quality.
The pizza will be available at retailers nationwide in three flavors: pepperoni, meat trio and four cheese.
"We're focused on bringing consumers the flavors and convenience they're looking for," Katie Hagen, senior marketing manager for Red Baron pizza, said in a statement. "CRUNCHTIME pizza is an exciting addition to our lineup — giving families a new way to enjoy a full-size pizza in just 5 minutes."
The frozen pizza space is undergoing a new wave of innovation as consumers eat more at home while prioritizing restaurant-style convenience and quality. Nestlé's DiGiorno introduced a Wood Fired Style Crust Pizza last year as the food giant looks to bring a premium, restaurant-style innovation to the popular frozen brand.
As more consumers look for convenience, frozen dinners are thriving. Frozen dinners and entrées account for close to 5% of in-home occasions, according to Circana data, up from less than 1% in the 1980s. Half of all meals now take fewer than five minutes to prepare, Circana said, a share that has climbed since 2021.
— Sarah Zimmerman
Monster’s Flrt falls for autumn in first flavor innovation
Flrt, the women-focused energy drink brand from Monster Beverage Corporation, is leaning into fall with its first flavor innovation since its launch.
The brand debuted Apple Bottoms Up, a green apple-flavored energy drink that contains 200 milligrams of caffeine from green tea, guayusa and ginseng. The blend also delivers on consumer demand for functional elements beyond caffeine, including biotin, zinc and vitamins A, B and C.
The flavor extension is the first beyond Flrt’s core four-flavor portfolio, which includes Strawberry Fling, Berry Tempting, Guava Lava, and Sunset Squeeze. The flavor launched Sept. 1 in major national retailers and on Amazon.
“This is our first flavor drop since launch, but it won't be our last,” Allison Erfort, vice president of Flrt, said in a statement. “We're having a lot of fun building this brand, and there's plenty more to flirt with.”
Monster launched Flrt earlier this year to specifically target female consumers, a segment of the energy drink space that is dominated primarily by Celsius-owned Alani Nu. Flrt also competes with other energy drink brands that target female consumers and have added functional benefits, including Nutrabolt-owned Bloom.
Monster’s energy drink segment, which includes its namesake brand and Flrt, reported $2.36 billion in net sales, a 21.6% year over year increase.
While Monster executives said it’s too early to tell the success of Flrt, it said it remains committed to the brand.
“We feel we are reaching the right target audience,” CEO Hilton Schlosberg said in an earnings call.
— Laurel Deppen
