Major Food And Drink Brands That Are Disappearing Or Rebranding
Many brands that were once household staples are disappearing off the shelves. One reason they are gone is that shoppers prefer lower-priced private labels such as Great Value at Walmart and Kirkland at Costco. The sale of old-fashioned classics is suffering, and many brands are going through changes. Brands need to rebrand themselves to create a new persona among consumers. Rebranding can include introducing a new spokesperson, changing a logo or slogan, or redesigning retail locations. There's nothing more disappointing than learning your favorite item is no longer available.
Hamburger Helper
Hamburger Helper sales have dropped drastically, and one of the main reasons is that Americans are buying less ground beef; therefore, they are buying fewer meals that require hamburger meat.
In addition, today's shoppers are buying more healthy, fresh, and organic food, which does not include packaged food meals. They aren't giving up entirely, though, as they have released more meals that pair with chicken rather than beef.
Budweiser
Budweiser used to be known as the 'King of Beers,' but that is no longer the case. In 2018, the brand fell to number four in domestic beer sales in the United States.
Customers are wanting more exciting alcoholic beverages, and craft beer production has exploded across the country to meet demand. Budweiser's other competitors are hard seltzers, unique flavor blends, and low-carb, low-sugar alcoholic drinks.
Campbell's Soup
Campbell's Soup once dominated the kitchen, but it is just not popular anymore. It has very high amounts of sodium, which doesn't appeal to health-conscious shoppers.
They are now looking at just focusing on their organic soups and broths. However, even the organic soups aren't selling very well. So, if you are an avid Campbell's Soup consumer, make sure you stock up as they may not be available for much longer.
Wheaties
Cereal sales have seemed to remain the same, even with some rebranding. Wheaties has been known as the 'breakfast for champions.' The main reason is that the younger consumers have switched to quicker on-the-go breakfast options like protein bars or fast food.
Wheaties was once a standout in the cereal aisle, but several cereal brands have been slowly dying. General Mills has even tried some bizarre marketing options for Wheaties, such as introducing a limited-edition Wheaties-themed craft beer called HefeWheaties. "It's OK to be healthy, but they just haven't stood out. Cheerios has successfully rolled out new flavors, and Special K has latched on to fitness consumers and the women's market." ---- Moritz.
Starbucks
Starbucks has gone through many logo changes throughout the years. Most of their customers are between twenty-five and forty, and they don't just want coffee; they want an entire experience.
Starbucks offers comfortable seating areas, fireplaces, and free Wi-Fi. In addition, they are very friendly and inviting. The company has been able to keep a consistent feel between its logo, retail stores, online presence, and packaging.
Chef Boyardee
Chef Boyardee's sales have been very poor in recent years. The company announced that it is closing down a factory in Pennsylvania where the canned pasta brand is made. The company was founded in 1929, and moms have been relying on its canned pasta for generations.
However, it is falling out of favor in today's era of fresher, healthier foods. The company is a Conagra Brand, and they have been trying to update Chef Boyardee with higher-quality ingredients.
Tootsie Roll
The Chicago-based company called Tootsie Roll owns Junior Mints, Sugar Daddy, and other classic candy brands. The company's market share has been declining for a decade.
"Tootsie Roll sales have declined because people are more conscious about eating sugar and a general trend away from brick-and-mortar shopping to online shopping." ----- The Motley Fool. Consumers are less likely to buy candy, soda, and other stuff that isn't good for them.
Yoplait
General Mills has reported that Yoplait yogurt sales dropped eleven percent in 2016 and even more since. A major reason for this decline is that there has been a broad shift in consumer preference for Greek yogurt brands. Dannon has the top spot, with thirty-four percent of the market, and Yoplait has just nineteen percent of the market.
"Yoplait is really focused on taking the natural goodness of dairy and turning it into a joyful experience the whole family will love. We've added more fruit to every cup, increased our vitamin D and calcium, and made sure we had sizes everybody would love, and we've seen that business really start to turn around." ----General Mills.
Diet Pepsi
In the United States, soda sales have been declining for years because consumers are turning more to bottled water and other healthy drinks. Diet Pepsi was once extremely popular in the 1990s but has been hit the hardest with a steady decline.
Today, consumers worry about the potential harms of ingesting artificial sweeteners and aspartame. As a result, the soda could possibly be on its way out.
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is still extremely popular, with about fifty million boxes being sold over a few months span. However, Kraft quietly rebranded their product and removed artificial dyes, flavors, and preservatives.
In addition, the product is now sold in more than fifty varieties. However, there are still healthier mac-and-cheese options available, like Annie's. While still popular, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese sales have dropped.
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter
Butter consumption has hit a four-decade high in the United States in recent years, causing a revival of butter. However, sales of margarine and other butter alternatives have declined. In fact, Unilever announced that it planned to sell its alternative butter division, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!.
It has been reported that margarine sales for brands like I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!, have been forecast to stay down and possibly drop even further, while butter sales are projected to rise nine percent worldwide over the next several years.
Pepperidge Farm Bread
Our country has been obsessed with diet fads, and first, it was the Atkins diet, with consumers avoiding carbs. Then came the gluten-free trend, which also caused bread sales to decline.
Surveys have shown that more than half of U.S. consumers said they were cutting back on white bread. As a result, Pepperidge Farm has taken a hit, even though sales have been strong for Pepperidge Farm cookies and snacks, like Milanos and Goldfish.
Bazooka Bubble Gum
Gum sales have declined drastically in the last several years. The problem is that consumers are turning to healthier, more natural snacks. In addition, they are popping in discreet mints to freshen their breath instead of gum.
Bazooka dropped almost fifty percent from 2007 until 2012. The brand then decided to rebrand and introduce a sugar-free version and Juicy Drop Gum, which is a sour liquid gel that kids can drip on the gum to make the flavor last longer. Now, classic Bazooka antics from the 1970s and 1980s are coming back with the comic strips inside the gum wrappers making a comeback.
Jell-O
Jell-O is iconic because it's associated with childhood, the molded dessert rings that grandma made, and cafeteria food. However, the brand has had trouble responding to the most current food trends in wellness and health, meaning consumers want healthier foods, and Jell-O doesn't make the cut.
Kraft Heinz, the owner of Jell-O, isn't giving up, though, and has recently introduced Jell-O Play edible slime, which is a toy that you can eat. They have also introduced several other products in order to keep the brand alive.
Slim Fast
Slimfast is the maker of diet shakes and drink mixes and used to be extremely popular in the diet world. The company was sold for three hundred and fifty million dollars; however, it was purchased for more than two billion dollars in 2000.
They have attempted to boost sales by adding several new products such as protein bars and cookies. However, consumers are trying to lose weight by seeking out fresher foods.
Odwalla
Odwalla was fruit juices, smoothies, and food bars. However, Coca-Cola is shutting the brand down. It was marketed toward health-conscious consumers eager for fresh fruit and vegetables; however, the drinks drew criticism for their high sugar content.
Some of the brand's drinks had as much sugar as a can of soda or a candy bar. Consumers want healthier options now and would rather eat fruit and vegetables than drink them. Unfortunately, Odwalla wasn't able to survive.
Kraft Singles
American cheese in individual plastic wrap isn't as popular as it once was. Kraft Singles are being passed over in favor of 'real' cheese, even though it's less convenient.
In addition, sales of processed cheese are expected to decline rapidly in the coming years, though market research expects Kraft Singles to endure better than others.
Kellogg's Cereals
Cereal sales have continued to decline because Americans want on-the-go foods for their commutes to work or school. They also aren't as into the super-sweet cereals of their childhood.
Kellogg's cereal isn't selling like it used to, and although the company isn't going anywhere, a few of its cereals could be vanishing soon. For instance, Rice Krispies Treat cereal debuted, but not long after, it was discontinued.
Snapple
Snapple is another brand that has rebranded. Back in the 2000s, Snapple was known for its glass bottles, addictive lemonade flavor, and fun facts underneath the cap.
However, recently, they nixed the glass bottles for plastic, and the flavor options also dwindled down. The change was drastic, but it took quite a while before people noticed that the original Snapple was no more.
RxBar
RxBar decided to rebrand, and it was an excellent choice. In fact, many people don't even remember that there was an older version.
The brand is most known for its straightforward, minimalistic packaging that lists the simple ingredients in the bar right on the front. The design of the bars' packaging is so identifiable that it is unlikely people knew that the bars looked any different than they do now.
Halo Top
Between 2015 and 2016, Halo Top decided to change its image and rebrand. Halo Top is a low-calorie ice cream company and most only know the brand by its new look and not really by the old.
Before the rebranding, Halo Top's pints of ice cream put more focus on the brand's name instead of showcasing the low-calorie count. They switched their focus to low-calorie, which has drawn more people in.
Chobani
Chobani rebranded itself, and to stand out from its competitors, the brand decided to give its packaging a matte finish. In addition, they deemphasized the fruit pieces on the front in favor of a less busy style. It was actually one of the most dramatic rebrands in the CPG category. "It wasn't so much just a packaging redesign; it was actually a rethink on the positioning of our company for future growth.
Most people do this when they've fallen behind or fallen out of relevance, so they tend to rebrand from a position of weakness which I think causes some hastily-made decisions or for people to not achieve what they could have from a position of confidence. The fact that we are in a leading position makes it the best time to do it. It's much harder to build on your successes and stay in the lead than just coast on them and fall behind."
Pringles
Pringles has been a favorite for years, and in the last couple of years, Pringles' logo man has undergone some cosmetic changes. Julius Pringles went bald and lost the little sparkle in his eye.
Thankfully, his mustache remained intact. Many fans were upset with the changes because they loved how Julius looked originally. Julius Pringles was designed by Arch Drummond in New York in 1967. Since then, the mascot has had six new looks.
Tropicana
Tropicana's rebrand was not successful, and the company actually reversed the change. They changed the well-recognized orange with a straw sticking out of the image to a sparse design that zoomed in on a glass of juice. Sales didn't improve, so the old design came back.
"We underestimated the deep emotional bond they had with the original packaging. Those consumers are very important to us, so we responded." ------Neil Campbell.
Velveeta
Velveeta has always been a beloved product, but most don't even realize that its look has changed. The brand's new look is very recent, and it was a subtle change.
They removed the phrase 'liquid gold' and pretty much everything else except the word Velveeta. They also changed the font, but the cheese itself is still the same we have always loved.
Aunt Jemima
Quaker announced that Aunt Jemima syrup would be getting a new brand name and logo. The name was changed to Pearl Milling Company. It was changed because its original brand was based on a racial stereotype. "We recognize Aunt Jemima's origins are based on a racial stereotype.
As we work to make progress toward racial equality through several initiatives, we also must take a hard look at our portfolio of brands and ensure they reflect our values and meet our consumers' expectations." ---- Kristen Kroepfl.
Uncle Ben's
Uncle Ben's rebranded, and its new name is Ben's Original. The rebranding was the result of protests over racial injustice. Mars, the owner of Uncle Ben's brand, stated, "Now is the right time to evolve the Uncle Ben's brand, including its visual brand identity.
We have a responsibility to take a stand in helping to put an end to racial bias and injustices." They removed the bowtie-wearing Black rice farmer and renamed the product.
Eskimo Pie
Eskimo Pie could very well have been your favorite childhood ice cream. The product is still around, but it received a new name, Edy's Pie because it was considered offensive by indigenous groups like the Inuit. They didn't like the young boy in a furry hooded robe and boots.
Head of Marketing stated, "We are committed to being a part of the solution on racial equality, and recognize the term is derogatory. This move is part of a larger review to ensure our company and brands reflect our people's values."
Hostess
Everyone loves Hostess products, and they had one of the most significant rebrands of the last decade. In fact, in 2013, they filed for bankruptcy and disappeared from the market for eight months. The brand was assisted by Apollo Global Management in the rebranding.
They created brighter and bolder packaging, which now stands out on store shelves and attracts customers. They are also introducing new products that are gluten-free, low-sugar, and overall healthier. However, you can rest assured that classic treats, such as Twinkies, will remain the same.
Land O'Lakes
Land O'Lakes announced they were rebranding, and they introduced a new design for its packaging that omitted the imagery of a Native American woman named Mia.
The President and CEO released a statement: "As Land O'Lakes looks towards our 100th anniversary, we've recognized we need packaging that reflects the foundation and heart of our company culture, and nothing does that better than our farmer-owners whose milk is used to produce Land O'Lakes' dairy products."
Mrs. Butterworth's
Mrs. Butterworth's is a Conagra Brand, which owns Mrs. Butterworth's line of syrups and pancake mixes. They announced a complete brand and packaging review but stated that its branding was only meant to "evoke the images of a loving grandmother."
Many accused the syrup brand of being a racist brand as some have associated the shape of the brand’s syrup bottles with the offensive "Mammy" racial cartoon for Black women. They ultimately changed the bottle to a regular shape instead of a woman.
Cream Of Wheat
Cream of Wheat is made by B&G Foods, Inc., and they decided to rebrand after consumers' concerns. They stated, "We understand there are concerns regarding the chef image, and we are committed to evaluating our packaging.
We will proactively take steps to ensure that we and our brands do not inadvertently contribute to systemic racism. B&G Foods unequivocally stands against prejudice and injustice of any kind."
Kudos
There has never been an official statement released on why the popular Kudos snack bars disappeared from shelves. However, it's thought that they were discontinued because of all the healthier options being put on the shelves.
The Kudos bars were from the 1980s and came in three different flavors: chocolate chip, fudge, and peanut butter. Later, they introduced Dove chocolate, M&M's, and Snickers flavors. They were basically a version of a candy bar and were not seen as a healthy option.
Lean Pockets
Lean Pockets were convenient, delicious, and affordable frozen sandwich snacks that came in a variety of flavors. They were said to be healthy, low-calorie, low-fat snacks.
However, Nestle quietly ended their line of Lean Pockets, mainly because of low sales. Nutritionists were not fans of the meals because they weren't as healthy as consumers thought they were.
Lay's Classic Multi Pack
PepsiCo is the parent company of Frito-Lays, and it has decided to cut back production of a full twenty percent of its portfolio.
Consumers later found out that the favorite multi-pack featuring a variety of different Frito-Lays snacks was not coming back. However, they now offer a new feature where consumers can customize their own Frito-Lay Variety Pack.
Jif Power Ups
In 2018, the Jif Power Ups were introduced as a creamy yet crunchy peanut-buttery snack food made with Jif peanut butter. However, in 2020, the snack was discontinued in order to remain focused on its biggest crowd-pleaser; peanut butter.
Since the pandemic, the brand was forced to reduce the production of some fun-flavored items in order to focus on Jif's Reduced Fat, Omega 3, and Simply peanut butter.
Amy's Kitchen Frozen Meals
The Covid-19 pandemic was hard on most brands and industries, but the frozen food business was not one of them. They were not affected because they are long-lasting and don't take a lot of effort to prepare. An exception was Amy's Kitchen as this brand did feel the heat.
It offered a variety of 'healthy' frozen meals, but during the pandemic, it streamlined its products from two hundred and twenty-eight offerings to only seventy-one. Several of the meals are missed by consumers.
DiGiorno Garlic Crust
Pizza crust and garlic sauce are an iconic duo and DiGiorno made pizzas with garlic crust. They made picking frozen pizza over delivery an easy choice because their garlic crust pizzas were addicting.
Sadly, the garlic crust pizza is not available anymore, with other crust options taking over. They still offer bacon and cheese-stuffed croissant crusts. So, for now, you will have to just add the garlic yourself.
Breyers Delights
Because of the popularity of Halo Top pints and others like it, Breyers jumped into the 'healthy' ice cream fad with its products. The ice cream flavors were low in calories, came in a variety of decadent flavors, and were full of protein.
However, the Delights line was completely discontinued, but they do still sell its Carb Smart line of products that are lower in calories. There are still No Sugar Added flavors in the company's lineup.
Kellogg's Eggo Nutrigain Waffles
Kellogg's Eggo waffles have been a breakfast-time favorite for decades. They made it so that it was as easy to make as popping something in the toaster. The company then added pancakes and French toast in several flavors, which included the Nutri-Grain waffles complete with whole wheat.
However, the line was discontinued because the product "did not have enough fans." Eggo does still sell whole-grain blueberry waffles and its other sugary classics.
Totino's Sausage Pizza Roles
Totino's Pizza Rolls are very popular and have been around for a very long time. It is a nostalgic snack that is a quick and easy way to get your pizza fix by just throwing them in the microwave.
The main flavors are pepperoni, triple meat, and supreme, but the once offered sausage rolls are no longer on the shelves. The company never really offered an explanation as to why they no longer sell the sausage flavor.
Orville Redenbacher Pop-Up Bowl
When having a movie night at home, popcorn is absolutely a must. Orville Redenbacher's is a classic and has offered several different popcorn products. They have tried to offer products that make you feel like you're at the movie theater at home.
At one point, they sold the Pop-Up Bowl, which not only served as the bag for the popcorn to pop in the microwave but also became a bowl to eat it out of. Sadly, the product just disappeared off the shelves, and the company confirmed that they were no longer making the product. Thankfully, you can still find many other Orville Redenbacher products.
Smucker's Uncrustables Peanut Butter Sandwich
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches have been a staple for a very long time, and consumers were very excited when Smucker's started selling Uncrustables. At one point, they offered the peanut butter-only Uncrustables sandwich. However, they discontinued the product and now only offer peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter and honey, and chocolate hazelnut spread.
The company received several comments like this from their fans: "OMG! I'm going crazy without my quick and favorite sandwich. I've been checking all over and can't find these anywhere. First time I left a review for something like these, but I'm hoping it helps the cause."
Pillsbury Toaster Strudels
Another very popular breakfast item and/or snack is Pillsbury's Toaster Strudels. They have reached the same popularity as products such as Kellogg's Eggo waggles and Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches. They offer the Toaster Strudels with many different fillings such as strawberry, chocolate, and blueberry.
However, in the last year or so, Pillsbury has discontinued several of its Toaster Strudel flavors. Some that have been discontinued are Boston Cream Pie, Glazed Donut, and Danish Style. Thankfully, there are still many flavors available in stores.
Oui Yogurt
As mentioned earlier, Yoplait has declined in sales, and one of their products that is no longer available is Oui. It is a French-style yogurt with several flavors and products that are great for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
However, Yoplait announced that they discontinued the Crème Dessert variety from the product line. You can still find the Oui line called Layered Dessert, which offers flavors such as cheesecake and pie flavors.
Old El Paso Crispy Flour Tortillas
Old El Paso has always offered a variety of tortillas, taco kits, and sauces for tacos at home. They have created products such as cheese-infused Soft Tortilla Bowls to hard Stand 'n' Stuff shells.
At one point, they offered the Crispy Flour tortillas, but they decided to discontinue the product. They have introduced many other products that have since been discontinued, and it is usually due to low sales.
Nestle Candies
Nestle is rebranding some of its candies to eliminate racial stereotyping. The ones they are changing are Red Skins, which is offensive to First Nations people in North America; Chicos, which is a slur against people of Latin-American descent; and Beso de Negra, which means "kiss from a Black woman" in Spanish.
A Nestle spokesperson stated, "As part of this process, we are immediately renaming and redesigning a handful of local brands we have found that use stereotypes or insensitive cultural depictions. This is the case for Beso de Negra, a confectionary brand sold in Colombia. We will also change the name of our Red Skins and Chicos lollies in Australia."
Bumble Bee Tuna
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Americans stocked up on essential food items and seemed to fall in love with tuna again. It is an inexpensive protein with a long shelf life. However, if you prefer tuna in one of Bumble Bee's portable pouches and various flavors, you will be disappointed.
The company has discontinued many of the pouches and flavors so that they can focus on the higher demand for the canned version. They did announce that they plan on bringing back select flavors eventually.
Chiquita Bananas
Chiquita is a brand of banana and features the banana-woman mascot, which has received criticism for years. It has been criticized for the ethnic stereotyping of Latin Americans.
The Food Empowerment Project stated, "Whether portrayed as a banana-woman in the original logo, or a human woman in the modern logo, Chiquita Banana presents sexualized and exoticized visions of Latin American women and perpetuates stereotypical images of Latin America and the people who live there." Chiquita did rebrand and made the banana woman human, but has not announced any plans to change the mascot entirely.