Lay's Flavor Icons is a new line of potato chips that takes inspiration from iconic dishes from across the country like spicy chicken from Nashville, New York-style pizza and Philly cheesesteak. Specifically, each of the new potato chip flavors is tied to not just a place but also a famous institution. While the wavy Carnitas Street Taco chips are tied to LA’s El Torito, the Chile Relleno chip was inspired by Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Cocina Azul. In all, there are five Flavor Icons and the Chile Relleno flavor is exclusive to Walmart and 7-Eleven.
2020 has been a particularly challenging year for the restaurant industry, especially independently owned businesses. With these flavors, Lay's is supporting taste buds and establishments across the USA.
Meal-Inspired Potato Chips
Lay's Flavor Icons Line Takes After Famous Dishes
Trend Themes
1. Regional-inspired Snacks - The rise in popularity of regional-inspired snacks is an opportunity for companies to innovate and expand their product lines by creating unique flavors and partnerships with local restaurants and food institutions.
2. Brand and Restaurant Collaborations - The collaboration between Lay's and famous food establishments is a disruptive innovation opportunity for other snack companies to partner with local eateries and introduce new flavor profiles to consumers.
3. Supporting Independent Restaurants - The success of Lay's Flavor Icons line demonstrates the consumer demand for supporting independent restaurants, thus presenting an opportunity for other food and beverage companies to incorporate this value in their marketing and branding strategies.
Industry Implications
1. Snack Foods - Snack food companies can innovate by creating regional-inspired flavors and partnering with local restaurants for collaborations.
2. Restaurant - Restaurants and food establishments can capitalize on the rise of regional-inspired snacks by offering branded products and partnering with snack food companies for collaborative marketing.
3. Food and Beverage - The demand for supporting independent restaurants presents an opportunity for food and beverage companies to incorporate this value into their branding and marketing strategies.