Mars Debuts Cheez-It Protein
Plus, Utz is rolling out Cheddar Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls and Spicy Pickle Bites in partnership with Grillo's Pickles.
Sep 29, 2026 | 2 min read
Mars launched its new Cheez-It protein original, “a brand-new snack delivering the bold, cheesy flavor and satisfying crunch Cheez-It fans know and love, now with 7g of protein per serving.”
Cheez-It Protein will begin rolling out on shelves nationwide in October 2026 for an MSRP of $4.49 for a 7.3 oz box.
Snack brand Utz recently launched three new snack options. The lineup features:
- Chicken Dipping Sauce Flavored Potato Chips: “This crunchy potato chip is topped off with just the right balance of sauce-inspired tangy, smoky and sweet flavor to make this your new go-to flavored potato chip. This new permanent flavor will be available in 7.75-oz and 2.75-oz bags starting September 21 at retailers including Walmart, Publix, ACI and Sheetz.
- Cheddar Bacon Ranch Flavored Cheese Balls: “Utz Cheddar Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls combines the cheesy crunch snackers know and love with savory notes of bacon and creamy ranch in every bite. The 2.5-oz bags are available at convenience store retailers including CVS, regional Circle K stores, QuikTrip and online.”
- Spicy Pickle Bites: “Utz and Grillo’s, the pickle company known for changing the pickle game, team up again to bring you Spicy Pickle Bites, a corn-based snack that packs big pickle flavor into a small, crunchy bite. The 2.5-oz bags deliver the dill, garlic and vinegar tang of a Grillo's pickle with a spicy kick for an irresistible snacking experience. They are available now at convenience retailers including 7-Eleven, Circle K, Sheetz and Wawa.”
Over at Jack Link’s, the brand announced the launch of its new Grass-Fed & Finished Beef Stick Multipacks (10-count) and LiL Links' Mini Stick Multipacks (3 & 6 count). The grass-fed sticks come in Original, Teriyaki and Jalapeño flavors, while new LiL' Links Mini Stick Multipacks are “a convenient grab-and-go option designed for busy families and snackers of all ages” and are available in grass-fed beef and antibiotic-free turkey.
What will be the next viral snack in 2027? Join your peers at the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas, October 6-9, for the Education Session “Food & Beverage Trends Shaping Convenience in 2027,” and learn which trends have staying power versus short-term hype, why they are gaining traction, and how to identify the behavioral signals that will shape convenience foodservice innovation in 2027 and beyond.
Salty snacks
