Distribution Roundup: Mason Dixie Brings Breakfast To The Marriott; The Jonas Brothers Popcorn Makes Retail Debut

Frozen Baked Goods Brand Mason Dixie Brings Breakfast To The Marriott

Mason Dixie Foods has teamed up with Marriott Select Brand Hotels to bring its better-for-you breakfast products to over 3,500 hotels nationwide. The lineup includes Petit Cheddar Biscuits, Sandwich-Sized Cheddar Biscuits, Petit Chocolate Chip Scones, Petit Blueberry and Lemon Scones, Petit Cinnamon Scones, Cheddar Sausage Biscuit Sandwiches and Buttermilk Breakfast Melt Sandwiches.

“The partnership helps to cement our goal to become a household name by aligning ourselves with a brand that has done the best job creating a second home for traveling consumers,” said Ayeshah Abuelhiga, founder and CEO of Mason Dixie Foods. “The opportunity to get our brand and clean-label breakfast offerings in front of millions of people trusting Marriott to provide them with a safe, consistent, home away from away experience is game changing for us.”

The lineup, which has a stated focus on limited, clean ingredients, will be available through Marriott’s new complementary grab-and-go breakfast program, allowing consumers a selection of on-the-go breakfast products. Female and BIPOC-owned Mason Dixie said it will use this roll out to test interest in its new breakfast sandwich and baked good innovations, citing that the partnership will grow sales 500% year-over-year.

“Because millions of consumers will get a chance to try our food and learn about our brand, the partnership makes food service the biggest trial opportunity on which we could endeavor, expanding not only our food service sales goals, but also increasing our retail in-store sales as more Marriott consumers seek us out in grocery,” said Abuelhiga.

As of January, The Maryland-based company has become profitable and cash flow positive, which will allow it to triple its internal team by the end of the year and continue expanding operations with new manufacturing partners and co-packers. The brand, which began as a small restaurant in 2014, shifted its focus to CPG at the onset of the pandemic, but Abuelhiga said it hasn’t forgotten its roots.

“The most exciting part of this partnership is that it’s an opportunity for Mason Dixie to reimagine what a restaurant experience can be,” said Abuelhiga. “As we deliver restaurant-quality favorites from our own restaurant into food service, it gives us the opportunity to revive that memory in a way that aligns even better with consumer needs today. It excites me to imagine what the next phase of food service and hospitality will bring in terms of ways to create our restaurant 2.0 experience.”

The Jonas Brothers Popcorn Makes Retail Debut

Rob’s Backstage Popcorn, a specialty popcorn brand created by The Jonas Brothers and “next generation CPG business” The Naked Market, named Walmart as its exclusive retail partner last week. The popcorn is now available at 2,800 Walmart stores nationwide and online for $3.98 per bag.

“When we first tried the popcorn, we fell in love with it,” said the Jonas Brothers, in a press release. “The unique seasoning was unlike anything we had ever tasted before; it was like home cooking in a bag. After keeping it to ourselves, we are excited to share it with the nation through our collaboration with Walmart.”

The vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free popcorn debuted direct-to-consumer last year featuring “salty, sweet & savory flavors.” The idea started when family friend Rob Garbowsky began making the popcorn at the band’s rehearsals and shows, and it later became the unofficial snack of the Jonas Brothers 2019 tour and was sold to attendees throughout the band’s 2021 tour.

“I never imagined something that started as a snack I would make for my family would end up in Walmart,” said Rob Garbowsky, co-founder of Rob’s Backstage Popcorn, in a press release. “We are so excited to bring my recipe to families across the country!”

Klimon Makes Brand Debut At Walmart

Klimon, made its debut through a partnership with Walmart. The almond-based dessert brand is rolling out in five flavors – Morning Brew, Caramel Brûlée, Cherry Bomb, Mint Condition and Sunrise Bang – at Walmart locations nationwide.

“We are so proud to be partnering with Walmart for the launch of our brand, and to continue to leave our mark on the plant-based food revolution,” said CEO and Founder of Jaback Group, Developer of the KLIMON brand, Alex Cotraviwat, in a press release.

The brand is backed by Jaback Group, a Los Angeles based holding company that boasts a portfolio of plant-based food brands focused on “unrivaled imagination and groundbreaking innovation,” including hummus brand Hummish and fruit and vegetable bar Zunaku. Cotraviwat started Jaback Group after finding success with his brand Kallusive in the fashion industry and now seeks to build a portfolio of consumer goods, natural products, apparel and entertainment companies.

Meli’s Monster Cookies Reach Costco

Gluten-free cookie company Meli Monster Cookies announced a new partnership with Costco earlier this month that will bring its flour-free cookie mixes to 7,000 stores nationwide. The club retailer will carry the brand’s Original Monster Cookie Mixes in 3-bag packs and the initial rollout will focus on Texas and Los Angeles area stores.

“We are so excited to partner with Costco to bring an innovative, flour-free cookie option that meets Costco’s guests’ dietary needs yet still has all of the taste and flavor of a fantastic cookie,” said Melissa Mehall, co-founder of Meli’s Monster Cookies, in a press release. “Meli’s are better-for-you, USA-made cookies, founded by a certified women-owned company. We have worked hard to make our cookies readily available so everyone can experience a delicious treat, whether they have to avoid gluten or not.”

The gluten-free, rolled oat-based brand sells a variety of other mixes, ready-to-eat frozen cookies and shelf-stable mini cookies at retailers including Target, Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, HEB, Central Market, Jewel Osco, HyVee and Amazon.

505 Southwestern Partners With Walmart

505 Southwestern (505SW) announced it will begin to distribute its portfolio of Hatch Valley green chile products to 4,461 Walmart locations nationwide. The brand’s flagship Flame Roasted Green Chile product in addition to its green chile sauces, salsa and other products will roll out over the next few months.

“It has been our long-standing goal to bring the flavor of Hatch Valley, flame roasted green chile to consumers in all corners of the country, and this expansion with Walmart is a critical step in this mission,” said Rob Holland, Executive Chairman for Flagship Food Group, parent of 505 Southwestern, in a press release. “We’ve made some strategic decisions over the past few years to invest heavily in our manufacturing capacity and distribution network, and that has allowed us to better serve our customers and keep up with growing demand.”

Other notable distribution updates:

• Nona Lima launches its Pad Thai Stir-Fry Kits at The Fresh Market in addition to rolling out both Pad Thai and Teriyaki Ramen Stir-Fry Kits to Ralph’s, Fry’s Food and Drug, Fred Meyer and Smith’s Food & Drug Centers.
• A Dozen Cousins partnered with REI to bring its Seasoned Beans and Rice Cooked in Bone Broth products to the outdoor sporting goods retailer’s stores. The partnership was formed to support A Dozen Cousins’ 2022 Social Impact Grantee, Hike Clerb Inc.
• Babybel begun shipping its plant-based cheese snacks stateside after its launching in the U.K earlier this year. The new product is now available at retailers including Whole Foods, Sam’s Club, and select Costco locations.
• Kosher food brand KAYCO activated a ​​new partnership with Mejier to highlight over 50 of its products in 120 of the retailer’s stores during Passover.
• Massachusetts-based hummus maker Cedar’s has partnered with Dunkin’ Donuts for its new Hummus & Roasted Tomato Toast menu offering.