CHICAGO — Coming next year from Conagra Brands, Inc. and Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., is a new variety of sunflower seeds inspired by the Mexican fast-food chain. Slated to hit retail shelves in the first half of 2018, BIGS Taco Bell Taco Supreme Seeds combines fire-roasted sunflower seeds with spicy taco flavor and a signature crunch.
Conagra Brands added the BIGS brand to its portfolio with the acquisition of Thanasi Foods, L.L.C. earlier this year. The new flavor joins such varieties as Tapatío Chile Limón, Vlasic Dill Pickle, Bacon Salt Sizzlin’ Bacon, Hidden Valley Ranch, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q and Old Bay Seasoned.
“The BIGS sunflower seed brand really leverages some incredible brand partnerships, with folks like Vlasic, Old Bay, Hidden Valley, etc.,” said Erik Havlick, vice-president of sales for Thanasi Foods and co-founder of Duke’s and BIGS, in an interview with Food Business News. “These are iconic brands that carry with them a tremendous amount of consumer brand equity, and in our case, a fantastic way of validating flavor and expanding awareness of the category.”
BIGS Taco Bell Taco Supreme Seeds will be available in 2.75-oz and 5.35-oz sizes with a suggested retail price of $1.09 and $1.99, respectively.