Hershey's Creme Bars and Red Baron Crunchtime Launch
Hershey's launches creme-filled chocolate bars in two flavors, while Red Baron debuts a microwavable full-size pizza.
The Hershey Company is launching Hershey's Creme Bars, a new milk chocolate bar with a creme filling. The bars come in two varieties: Salted Caramel and Affogato.
Hershey's senior brand manager Katrina Vatter said the launch is designed to inspire discovery and self-expression. The company is partnering with the girl group KATSEYE for a promotional campaign this fall.
Texture and Flavor Innovation
Different fillings and texture experiences have grown in popularity among major confectionery companies. Hershey describes the Salted Caramel bar as combining rich caramel with balanced sweetness. The Affogato flavor features a dual-layer filling of espresso-flavored caramel and sweet vanilla creme.
This launch continues Hershey's focus on innovation within its sweets business. Recent rollouts include Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried and various Reese's collaborations.
Convenience in Frozen Pizza
Separately, Red Baron is introducing a microwavable, full-size frozen pizza called Crunchtime. The 10-inch pizza is designed to be ready in five minutes and is positioned as a shareable option that does not compromise on texture.
The pizza will be available nationwide in three flavors.
Red Baron senior marketing manager Katie Hagen stated the product gives families a new way to enjoy a full-size pizza quickly. This innovation aligns with a trend where frozen dinners now account for close to 5% of in-home meal occasions, according to Circana data.
Broader Market Shifts
The frozen pizza space is seeing renewed activity as consumers prioritize restaurant-style convenience at home. Nestlé's DiGiorno brand introduced a Wood Fired Style Crust Pizza last year as part of this premium shift.
Circana data also indicates that half of all meals now take fewer than five minutes to prepare. This share has increased since 2021, underscoring the demand for speed.
In the energy drink sector, Monster's Flrt brand has released its first new flavor since launch. The Apple Bottoms Up flavor contains 200 milligrams of caffeine from green tea, guayusa, and ginseng, along with added vitamins. Flrt was launched earlier this year to target female consumers, a segment currently led by brands like Alani Nu and Bloom. Monster's overall energy drink segment reported $2.36 billion in net sales for its latest quarter.
