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Dippin’ Dots entered the freezer section of grocery stores for the first time with the launch of ice cream sundaes, the company told Food Dive.
The expansion will allow the popular beaded ice cream to connect with consumers through a whole new channel at home. Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream Sundaes also opens up thousands of new distribution points and opportunities for brands to interact with consumers, he said. lynnwood Mallard is the chief marketing officer of J&J Snack Foods, which owns frozen snacks.
“This is huge for the brand,” Mallard said in an interview. “We’re really optimistic about this.”
For most of its existence, Diffin‘The dots were a staple at outdoor fairs, sporting events and amusement parks. In recent years, J&J has expanded its presence in movie theaters and indoor arcades, and deepened its presence in convenience stores with the installation of ultra-low temperature freezers.
But grocery stores are a coveted channel for J&J for Dippin’ Dots, and one that comes with its own challenges.
Diffin‘The dots must be kept at minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit to allow the frozen beads to retain their shape. The average store freezer is typically set to -32 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is too low, Diffin‘The moles can form clumps.
Each Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream Sundaes cup is filled with dots, cookie pieces, ice cream and topped with flavored sauce. Sauces and ice creams work with cardboard packaging, which acts as an insulator to prevent or minimize clumping.
The product is unique enough to give Dippin’ Dots a larger share of the ice cream category and is unlikely to cannibalize the brand’s existing sales, Mallard said.. Many consumers have tried Dippin’ Dots before, but this allows them to experience it in a whole new way.
Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream Sundaes will debut at Kroger starting in January. J&J is in discussions with other retailers to sell the product later this year. Snacks are available in two of the most popular varieties. Diffin‘ Dot flavor, cookies and cream, cotton candy.
Dippin’ Dots was acquired by J&J two years ago and last year achieved its highest sales and profitability levels in the brand’s 36-year history.
Mallard said the ice cream has about 95 percent brand awareness among consumers. That notoriety, combined with the uniqueness of the Dippin’ Dots brand and the new sundae itself, will allow the grocery product to stand out in an “overcompetitive” ice cream category that will be “difficult to break into,” he added.
Cookies ‘n Cream and Cotton Candy are likely the first flavors J&J will release with Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream Sundaes. We look forward to seeing more innovation across the Dippin’ Dots platform.
“Innovation is the strength of this brand,” Mallard said. “This is just the beginning. Something big is going to happen after this.”
