Chiquita Plantain Chips Gain Momentum Across North America as Retail Distribution Expands

Iconic Chiquita Brand Continues to Win Retailer Acceptance and Consumer Enthusiasm as Its Innovative "Farm-to-Bag-in-24-Hours" Plantain Chips Reach More Shelves Across North America

WINDERMERE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SNAX-Sational Brands announces the continued expansion of Chiquita Plantain Chips across North America, as the iconic Chiquita brand gains significant traction in the rapidly evolving better-for-you snack category. With growing retailer enthusiasm, increasing distribution, and encouraging consumer response, Chiquita Plantain Chips are establishing a presence in the competitive salty snack and produce aisles.

Chiquita Plantain Chips are now available at a growing number of prominent retailers throughout the United States and Canada, including ShopRite, Food Lion, Raley's, Gelson's, 7-Eleven Canada, Associated Grocers, Save Mart, Harris Teeter, CVS NE, and Rouses Markets, providing millions of potential consumers with greater access to this innovative snack offering.

"We're excited to see the tremendous support from our retail partners as Chiquita Plantain Chips reach more shelves across North America," said Mike Hagan, CEO of SNAX-Sational Brands. "Consumer demand has been overwhelming, as discerning shoppers are embracing the better-for-you attributes of plantain chips combined with the trusted quality and heritage of the Chiquita brand. Our unique 'Farm-to-Bag-in-24-Hours' proposition delivers a compelling point of difference that resonates with today's consumers."

AN ICONIC BRAND MEETS THE GROWING DEMAND FOR BETTER-FOR-YOU SNACKING

Recognized and trusted by consumers around the world for generations, Chiquita brings its longstanding reputation for quality, freshness, and tropical heritage to the growing plantain chip category.

Chiquita Plantain Chips offer consumers a distinctive alternative to traditional potato chips, combining satisfying crunch, bold flavors, and appealing product attributes, including:

• Farm-to-Bag-in-24-Hours — A distinctive freshness proposition.
• Vegan and Non-GMO — Appealing to consumers seeking plant-based snack alternatives.
• Allergen-Free and Kosher — Providing additional options for consumers with specific dietary preferences and needs.
• No Trans Fat — Supporting today's evolving snacking preferences.
• Exciting Flavor Variety — Including Original Sea Salt, Garlic, Chile Limón, Sweet Plantain Chips, and Plantain Scoops.

"Chiquita has been a household name for generations, and we're excited to extend that powerful brand equity into the plantain chip aisle," added Hagan. "Consumers already associate Chiquita with quality and freshness. Bringing those attributes into a delicious, flavorful, and convenient snack creates an exciting opportunity for retailers and consumers alike."

RETAIL DISTRIBUTION EXPANSION SIGNALS STRONG GROWTH OPPORTUNITY

The growing presence of Chiquita Plantain Chips across leading supermarket, grocery, convenience, and specialty retail channels represents an important milestone in SNAX-Sational Brands' commercial expansion strategy.

"Securing authorization with a new retail partner is always an important achievement," said Hagan. "Every new retailer and every additional store provides more consumers with the opportunity to discover Chiquita Plantain Chips and experience what makes them different."

SNAX-Sational Brands is actively working to expand its distribution footprint through additional major retail banners, strategic distribution partnerships, and new channel opportunities.

"We anticipate announcing additional major retail banners across North America in the coming months," Hagan continued. "Combined with our international expansion initiatives, we believe Chiquita Plantain Chips have an exceptional runway for sustained distribution growth and increased household penetration."

BUILDING A LONG-TERM GLOBAL SNACKING PLATFORM

With Chiquita's globally recognized brand identity, distinctive product positioning, and expanding retail relationships, SNAX-Sational Brands sees significant opportunities to build Chiquita Plantain Chips into a leading player in the North American snack food market while pursuing international growth.

"We're extremely proud of the work our team and retail partners have put into bringing Chiquita Plantain Chips to this point," concluded Hagan. "But this is just the beginning. Our goal is to make Chiquita Plantain Chips available to consumers across an expanding network of retailers, channels, and countries. The momentum is building, the opportunity is substantial, and there's a lot more ahead for Chiquita Plantain Chips."

EXPANDING RETAIL DISTRIBUTION AND BUILDING A GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY

As SNAX-Sational Brands continues expanding distribution of Guy Fieri's Flavortown Microwave Popcorn, the company is focused on establishing a broad commercial presence across multiple retail channels, including supermarkets, mass merchandise, club stores, convenience, specialty retail, and international distribution.

The upcoming Publix and Walmart rollouts are expected to significantly expand the brand's consumer visibility and accessibility while providing a foundation for additional retailer authorizations and distribution opportunities.

"Securing authorization from a new retail partner is always an important achievement," stated Hagan. "Every additional retailer and every new store represents another opportunity for consumers to discover the unique flavors, personality, and quality of Guy Fieri's Flavortown Microwave Popcorn."

"The microwave popcorn category has been ready for a fresh approach. We believe the combination of Guy Fieri's broad consumer appeal, innovative flavor development, and our expanding distribution network creates a compelling opportunity for sustained growth."

THE FUTURE OF FLAVORTOWN IS JUST HEATING UP!

With retail momentum building across North America and international expansion opportunities progressing, SNAX-Sational Brands remains focused on growing Guy Fieri's Flavortown Microwave Popcorn into a widely distributed and differentiated snack brand.

"We're proud of what we've accomplished with Guy and our retail partners, but we're even more excited about what's ahead," concluded Hagan.

"From our existing regional retail partners to our upcoming Publix and Walmart launches, we're building a strong foundation for long-term growth. And with additional major retail opportunities and international expansion on the horizon, Flavortown is just getting started!"

For more information visit www.ChiquitaSnacks.com.

About SNAX-Sational Brands:

SNAX-Sational Brands is an innovative snack food company specializing in the development, manufacturing, marketing, licensing, and distribution of differentiated branded snack products. Through strategic partnerships with globally recognized consumer brands and personalities, the company brings exciting snack innovations to retailers and consumers across multiple categories. Its portfolio includes Guy Fieri's Flavortown Microwave Popcorn, Chiquita Plantain Chips, and Cookie Pop and Candy Pop Ready-to-Eat Popcorn.

About Chiquita Brands International:

Chiquita is a leading global produce company that is committed to providing both consumers and customers across nearly 70 countries with the highest quality of fruit and service, making Chiquita the banana of choice. For more than 150 years, Chiquita has been proudly producing great-tasting, superior-quality bananas. The brand creates a positive impact by implementing the principles of sustainability throughout all of its business practices under the “Behind the Blue Sticker” initiative.

Chiquita’s iconic Blue Sticker has been the seal of approval for high-quality fruit, and a celebration of fun, but it also represents an unwavering commitment to sustainable farming, biodiversity and giving back to the communities in which the banana plantations operate. Great-tasting and convenient Chiquita bananas are fat-free, and provide a source of potassium, fiber and vitamin B6. To learn more, visit www.chiquita.com and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.