KANSAS CITY – A partnership between Hostess Brands L.L.C. and Mars Chocolate North America has been consummated with the introduction of co-branded brownies.
Hostess, on July 12, said Hostess Brownies made with M&M’s and Hostess Brownies made with Milky Way pieces have been introduced and are now available in stores.
“With brownies being such an important segment of the category, we set out to elevate the brownie experience with the Hostess brand, and in doing so, co-branded with Mars through a strategic licensing deal,” said Burke Raine, Hostess chief marketing officer. “Intensely rich brownies will satisfy most chocolate lovers, but pair them with two of America’s most beloved chocolate candy brands, M&M’s and Milky Way, and you’ve got a truly irresistible treat.”
The Hostess Brownies made with M&M’s feature a chocolate brownie with M&M’s swirled inside and a fudgy chocolate frosting finished with a sprinkling of milk chocolate M&M’s candies. The Hostess Brownies made with Milky Way pair a chocolate brownie with a smooth topping of caramel icing finished with a layer of Milky Way candy bar pieces.
The new products were developed through a licensing partnership between Hostess and Mars. While officially announced on July 7, the products were on display in late May at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago. William Toler, chief executive officer of Hostess, has discussed the partnership with Mars and expressed the hope it will generate additional co-branded products.
The brownies will be offered in a 6-count multipack carton for a suggested retail price of $3.99 and a 2-count single-serve package in convenience stores for $1.89 .