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.
Reese's Pieces launches first US innovation in 10 years
Hershey is adding some texture to Reese's Pieces for the brand's first U.S. innovation in a decade.
Reese's Pieces with Chocolate Cookie adds a crispy chocolate cookie center to the peanut butter-flavored candies. The new offering plays into demand for multi-textural candies that can provide an unexpected tasting experience.
Melissa Blette, senior brand manager for Reese's, said in a statement that the new innovation "delivers a perfect balance of our legendary peanut butter flavor with a sweet crunch, creating an entirely new shareable snacking experience for the fan-favorite candy."
Other candy companies have added some crunch to their brands, especially as freeze-dried candies take off on platforms like TikTok. Mars launched freeze-dried Skittles in 2024 and recently introduced M&M’s Pop’d Caramel, which adds a light and crispy texture to the center.
Reese's Pieces with Chocolate Cookie launches nationwide July 17 in pouches, with king size offerings to be rolled out later in 2026.
— Sarah Zimmerman
Quaker shakes up oats
Quaker is bringing oats from the bowl to the bottle.
The PepsiCo-owned brand is launching Quaker Oat Shake & Go, an on-the-go offering that allows consumers to make their own oat shakes. The drinks — available in cinnamon vanilla and strawberry and banana — feature 23 grams of protein per serving when prepared with 8 ounces of milk, 16 grams of whole grains and 3 grams of fiber.
Consumers make the drink by adding water, milk or an alternative to the bottle and shaking until the powder has been mixed in. The new offering essentially allows consumers to make their own overnight oats instantly, without needing to wait for hours. The oats are making their way to hot cereal aisles at major U.S. retailers nationwide this month.
"Today's consumers want delicious and nutritious food and beverage options that fit into their busy routines – from breakfast to lunch to dinner and the snack moments in between," James Wade, chief marketing officer for Quaker Foods, said in a statement. "Quaker Oat Shake & Go reflects PepsiCo's continued focus on meeting consumer demand and growing preference for innovations that provide more convenience and functional ingredients."
PepsiCo cited research showing 65% of Americans prepare morning meals in under five minutes, with lack of time cited as a top barrier to eating breakfast. At the same time, 86% of Americans claim they actively add protein to their diet and 73% actively try to add more fiber.
— Christopher Doering
El Jimador launches spritz RTD
Brown-Forman is building out its ready-to-drink portfolio with a canned cocktail version of El Jimador Tequila.
El Jimador Tequila Spritz is made with Blanco tequila and available in three varieties: lime, orange and mango. Each can has an alcohol by volume rate of 4.8%, making it more of an easy-drinking experience than some of its other tequila RTD competitors.
The new launch taps into growing consumer interest in ready-to-drink canned cocktails, which has remained a bright spot despite an overall decline in alcohol consumption.
“As the latest addition to our growing portfolio in this incredibly fast-growing category, this bar-quality cocktail is the natural next step in our RTD journey,” Mary Beth O'Mara, brand director of Brown-Forman’s RTD portfolio in the U.S. and Canada, said in a statement. “It is more than a spritz; it is an invitation to connect and refresh with a drink that's perfect for summer.”
Brown-Forman, which also owns Jack Daniel’s and Buffalo Trace, has been expanding its RTD portfolio in the U.S. as the category proves more lucrative.
Last year, Brown-Forman launched New Mix in the U.S. The tequila-based drink is the most popular RTD in Mexico.
— Laurel Deppen
