More nutritious snacking options: PepsiCo to acquire maker of PopCorners snacks, BFY Brands

03 Dec 2019 --- PepsiCo is set to acquire BFY Brands, the maker of PopCorners snacks. Upon closing, BFY Brands will report into PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division. The acquisition will expand Frito-Lay’s portfolio to offer consumers more nutritious snacking options. The transaction is subject to customary conditions and approvals, including regulatory approvals.

“BFY Brands offers distinctive products that deliver the great taste and ingredients consumers are looking for. Their production capabilities will support the growth of our existing, more-nutritious snack brands,” says Steven Williams, CEO, PepsiCo Foods North America.

The snacking brand’s portfolio includes PopCorners, FLEX Protein Crisps and Flourish Veggie Crisps. The company affirms it partners with independent, family farmers to make its products with non-GMO corn. 

PopCorners' three varieties.Just this summer, PepsiCo acquired all the outstanding shares of South African Pioneer Foods Group approximately US$1.7 billion. This acquisition is set to help PepsiCo gain a solid beachhead for expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa, the company said.

Healthy snacking
All of PopCorners products are marketed as gluten-free and kosher. The FLEX protein crisps offer 10 g of plant-based protein and, therefore, attract people following a low-carb, keto/paleo lifestyle. Moreover, the chips are not fried to ensure a healthier, naturally tasting snack.

Many of PopCorners’ products are also vegan and vegetarian. The chips from all three categories include sea salt, jalapeno cheddar, toasted cauliflower, roasted beets, buffalo and barbecue, to name a few. 

“Snacking: The Definitive Occasion” featured as Innova Market Insights’ fifth top trend for 2019. The market researcher notes that snacking trends have appeared on its trends list for several years, with the evolution from “snacks to mini meals” tipped as trending throughout 2018. 

Many snacking and on-the-go product launches this year have been developed to tap into increasingly busy consumers’ lifestyles. An Innova Consumer Lifestyle and Attitudes Survey from 2018 also found that 63 percent of Millennials are replacing meals with snacks because they are busy. In line with this trend, PopCorners seeks to provide these bustling Millennial consumers a protein-rich, health-based snacking alternative to conventional chip snacking.

Edited by Anni Schleicher