ADDISON, Ill. -- In the latest example of food and snack mashups, Mistica Foods LLC, a protein processing and food innovation company, has signed a licensing partnership with The Kellogg Co. to launch ready-to-heat chicken breast bites coated with a breading made with Cheez-It brand crackers.
While not yet available in conveniece stores, the cheesy chicken bites can already be found at Wal-Mart stores nationwide. They will roll out to other national retailers, possibly including c-stores, starting this winter. They are marketed as an appetizer and are promoted as a uniquely flavored chicken-snack product.
The product is part of a new trend in food and snack combinations with such brands as Cheetos and Doritos.
“We are very pleased to partner with Mistica Foods and be the first to offer a cracker-breaded chicken product to the marketplace,” said Wendy Davidson, president of Kellogg’s U.S. specialty channel. “This new product introduction represents an opportunity to expand one of the most beloved brands to a new consumer category.”
Founded in 2014, Mistica Foods provides custom menu and supply-chain solutions to foodservice as well as retail channels and provides products under the Mistica Ranch Meat brand name.
With 2015 sales of more than $13 billion, Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg makes cereal, cookies, crackers, savory snacks and frozen foods. The company's Elmhurst, Ill.-based c-store division will announce whether the product will become available to the convenience channel.
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