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Mars is highlighting a range of snack launches focused on crunch, intense flavors, smaller portions and added protein. The company says Cheez-It Protein has 7 grams of protein per serving and that SKITTLES Gummy Crystals will debut on TikTok Shop in November before a retail expansion next year. Several consumer figures in the source are attributed to surveys or Mintel data, but their methods are not detailed.
Mars is expanding its snack lineup with products built around protein, spicy flavors and unusual textures, including Cheez-It Protein, which the company says launches this month with 7 grams of protein per serving. The announcements offer a view of how the food maker is adapting established brands to shoppers seeking more functional or more varied snack options.
Mars says Cheez-It Protein crackers retain the brand’s toasted-cracker format and are made with 100% real cheese, with a protein boost of 7 grams per serving. The source does not provide the product’s full nutrition label, serving size, price or store availability.
Other products emphasize texture and flavor. Mars says SKITTLES Gummy Crystals pair a soft candy texture with a tangy crunch and will launch exclusively on TikTok Shop in November, followed by a retail expansion next year. The company is also promoting SNICKERS Xtreme Almond, COMBOS Honey Sriracha and Pringles Buffalo Wild Wings Asian Zing potato crisps.
The lineup includes seasonal and format extensions as well. Mars says SNICKERS Football shapes are reaching shelves for football season, while SNICKERS Ice Cream Minis have launched in six flavors. The company also points to a 44,000-square-foot Chicago innovation hub for chocolate and nut research, which it says includes research facilities, a test kitchen and production lines.
Protein Joins Flavor and Texture
The announcements show Mars extending familiar brands into categories shaped by demand for protein, bold flavors and varied textures. Cheez-It Protein applies a nutrition feature to an established cracker, while the candy and spicy products offer new sensory experiences without requiring shoppers to leave brands they already know.
Mars cites consumer figures to explain its choices: it says three in five consumers want to increase protein intake, nearly half have bought a product because its label featured protein, and nearly 60% are seeking “extreme” flavors. These are figures presented by the company; the source does not provide survey dates or methodology for all of them. Mintel data cited in the report says more than one-third of Gen Z and Millennial consumers reported buying more value-added protein products since the previous year.
For retailers, a mix of new flavors, seasonal products and smaller formats may create additional reasons for shoppers to visit or purchase. Mars says these launches are intended to support fan engagement and retail traffic, but the source gives no sales forecasts or results demonstrating their performance.
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Established Brands, New Formats
Mars is presenting these products as updates to existing brands and snack occasions. Peanuts remain part of products such as SNICKERS and M&M’S, while pretzels are associated with COMBOS. The company’s approach, as described in the report, is to vary flavor, texture and format around familiar names rather than rely only on entirely new brands.
The company also links products to occasions. SNICKERS Football shapes are timed for football season, and Mars positions Pringles Buffalo Wild Wings crisps for gatherings around games. Its six SNICKERS Ice Cream Minis flavors are framed as bite-size treats. Those occasion descriptions are the company’s marketing rationale; the source does not report independent consumer testing or sales data.
Mars says its Chicago hub is intended to speed development from idea to market, focusing on chocolate and nut research for brands including M&M’S, SNICKERS and KIND. The source does not say when the facility opened beyond describing it as open, or provide output figures tied to the new products.
“More than 70% of consumers want treats with unique textures.”
— Mars, in the Food Dive sponsored report
Launch Details and Sales Evidence
The report does not give exact launch dates for several products, including Cheez-It Protein, SNICKERS Xtreme Almond and COMBOS Honey Sriracha, or confirm their prices and nationwide availability. It says SKITTLES Gummy Crystals will launch on TikTok Shop in November and expand to retail next year, but provides no dates or retailer list.
It is also unclear how the consumer statistics were gathered, how representative the samples were, and whether stated preferences translate into purchases. Mars does not disclose expected sales, production volumes or early performance for the products. The source is a sponsored report, so its descriptions and market rationale are attributable to the company.
Retail Rollout Through Next Year
The clearest stated milestone is the planned November TikTok Shop debut for SKITTLES Gummy Crystals, followed by retail expansion next year. Mars says Cheez-It Protein is launching this month, while seasonal SNICKERS products are tied to the current football season. The company has not provided a fuller launch calendar in the source.
Retail availability, pricing and consumer response will clarify how widely the products reach shoppers and whether the protein and flavor extensions gain traction. Mars also says its Chicago innovation hub will support future product development, but it has not announced specific launches from the facility beyond the products described.
Key Questions
What is Cheez-It Protein?
It is a protein-focused version of Cheez-It crackers. Mars says it is made with 100% real cheese and contains 7 grams of protein per serving. The source does not provide the complete nutrition information.
When will SKITTLES Gummy Crystals be available?
Mars says the product will launch exclusively on TikTok Shop in November, with a retail expansion planned for next year. The report does not give exact dates or name retailers.
Which new Mars snacks focus on spicy flavors?
The report highlights COMBOS Honey Sriracha and Pringles Buffalo Wild Wings Asian Zing crisps. Mars describes the COMBOS flavor as sweet and spicy, with garlic and cayenne, and says the Pringles variety draws heat from chili peppers alongside soy and ginger.
Has Mars shown that these products are selling well?
The source does not provide sales figures, forecasts or independent performance data. It mentions positive reactions from some early shoppers to SNICKERS Xtreme Almond, but gives no details about the number of shoppers or the basis for that account.
Source: rss
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