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The Leftovers is a look at some of the product ideas that are popping up everywhere. Some are interesting, some sound amazing, and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write everything we suggest, so here are some leftover items from our inbox:
The crunching sound of chicken
Chomps, a fast-growing meat stick company, is developing a new protein: chicken.
The company is launching a new lineup of chicken sticks that mark a “massive evolution” beyond its signature beef, venison and turkey snacks. The launch aims to further deepen Chomps’ presence in the fast-growing meat snack market.
Chomps said it took more than 10 years to develop the new sticks to deliver the same bold flavors the brand is known for. The sticks come in three flavors, including Original Chicken and Nashville Hot and Delicious Breakfast, and contain 12 grams of protein and 80 calories. It also contains absolutely no sugar and is made from antibiotic-free chicken.
The average American consumes 100 pounds of chicken each year, Chomps said, citing Numerator data. But protein is still underrepresented in the meat snack category, accounting for 1% of the $8.2 billion meat snack category, Chomps said.
“We saw a clear gap: The most consumed proteins in the United States were not represented at meaningful levels.
“We’ve helped grow the category. Chicken is more than just a product line,” Chomps CEO and co-founder Rashid Ali said in a statement. “This is an opportunity to reshape an underdeveloped sector and continue to raise the bar on what consumers can expect.”
Chomps also highlighted that the Savory Breakfast Chicken Sticks are a key innovation that will help consumers extend their meat sticks from day to morning when time is limited.
The meat sticks segment benefited from increased consumer demand for proteins and portable snacks.
Sales of dried meat snacks, excluding jerky, will hit $3.3 billion in 2024, up 10.7% from the previous year, according to data provided by Circana. Since 2020, this category has added nearly $1.2 billion in sales.
— Christopher Doering
Twizzlers drink dirty soda
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Provided by Hershey
Hershey-owned Twizzlers is jumping on the dirty soda trend.
Candy launches dirty soda-inspired Twizzlers Straws flavor. The vanilla, lime and coconut flavored confections are designed to be used as edible straws, giving consumers another option to personalize their favorite drinks.
Dirty sodas mix creamer or syrup with soft drinks to create an indulgent, personalized experience. Social media and reality TV have brought dirty soda into the mainstream and gained a foothold among consumers as an alternative to craft coffee or lattes.
Rachel Starr, Hershey’s confectionery innovation manager, said in a statement that the dirty soda “has become a fun, personalized ritual for our fans.” “Twizzlers Straws allow people to sip, snack and customize their drink all in one go, making the Twizzlers experience a little more fun and unmistakable.”
As more restaurants include beverages on their menus, food companies are giving consumers more ways to experience them at home. PepsiCo launched Dirty Mountain Dew, and Dr Pepper brought back the creamy coconut flavor, citing the popularity of dirty soda.
The Twizzlers flavor will be available nationwide for a limited time on March 12th on the Hershey website or at Gopuff in select cities, including Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. The innovation is Hershey’s latest limited-edition product to tap into a larger social media trend. The snack and confectionery giant launched Dubai Chocolate Bar in December.
— Sarah Zimmerman
Stateside launches new cocktail inspired by sports drinks
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American brand provided
Stateside Brands, owner of Surfside, is launching canned cocktails inspired by classic sports drinks.
Super Lyte, a vodka-based ready-to-drink cocktail, is available in four flavors: Fruit Punch, Orange, Lemon Lime, and Blue Chill. Each can has 4.5% alcohol content and 90 calories.
“We’ve been conceiving and developing Super Lyte for over two years after recognizing the growing trend of consumers enjoying mixing sports drinks and vodka,” Matt Quigley, president and co-founder of Stateside Brands, said in a statement.
Super Lyte is available in various packs in more than 20 states on the East Coast and Midwest. Beverages can be purchased online as well as in liquor stores, retail stores, bars, restaurants, music venues and sports stadiums.
The launch of Super Lyte comes as more beverage brands look to expand their associations with health, fitness and sports. Stateside previously expanded its Surfside flavor with a “golf course-friendly” variety for the spring, and Super Lyte appears positioned to continue this sports focus with its Philadelphia Phillies partnership.
The company has found a niche among young consumers looking for creative, non-carbonated premix cocktails. Stateside said it sold 11.1 million cases in 2025, up more than 6 million cases from the previous year.
—Laurel Deppen
