BUNKY Protein Popcorn Takes On Big Popcorn With 4.5oz Format Launch, Proving Flavor and Function Can Coexist

Los Angeles brand expands product line after reaching 45 retail locations, targeting natural grocers with a premium taste-first approach. BUNKY Foods, the California lifestyle brand reimagining what popcorn can be, announced the launch of its 4.5 oz retail bag format designed to compete directly with established popcorn brands. Since launching direct-to-consumer in August 2025 and selling out its initial 2 oz bag production run in three months, BUNKY has rapidly expanded to 45 specialty locations nationwide and now aims to bring its taste-first, protein-enhanced popcorn to natural grocers. "Big popcorn has dominated the aisle with the same playbook for decades—basic flavors, seed oils, empty calories," said Davis, founder of BUNKY. "We're here to show that you can make truly delicious, crave-worthy popcorn that happens to deliver high-quality protein and real fiber. Taste comes first. The functional benefits are the bonus, not the compromise." Challenging the Category Leaders BUNKY enters the popcorn aisle ready to compete with household names like leading brands that have long dominated the "better-for-you" snack space but offer minimal nutritional value beyond being air-popped. Where traditional popcorn brands focus on low-calorie positioning, BUNKY flips the script: premium, bold flavors crafted with aged white cheddar and globally-inspired seasonings, popped for maximum crunch, and formulated with complete whey protein and fiber that actually fuels your day. "There's a massive opportunity to give people what they really want—popcorn that tastes incredible and makes them feel good about snacking," Davis explained. "We're not asking anyone to settle. We're elevating what popcorn can be." From DTC Success to 45 Locations in Five Months BUNKY's rapid ascent began with 2 oz bags launched in August 2025 through pop-ups at local events and grassroots sampling at fitness studios. After selling out the initial production run in just three months, the brand gained traction with retail partners including Community Goods, LEORA Café, and specialty wellness spaces coast to coast. The new 4.5 oz format—available in Aged White Cheddar and Sriracha Lime—maintains BUNKY's commitment to zero seed oils, non-GMO ingredients, and naturally gluten-free formulations. Each bag delivers up to 22 g of complete whey protein and is a good source of fiber, positioning BUNKY as a legitimate meal accompaniment or post-workout snack, not just something to munch on mindlessly. Riding the Wave of Protein Popcorn Innovation The popcorn category has seen explosive growth and innovation in recent years, particularly in the protein-enhanced segment. Influential brands have demonstrated massive consumer appetite for premium protein popcorn with creative flavors, validating the category's potential and bringing national attention to functional popcorn. "What these brands did for the category was huge—they brought major visibility to protein popcorn and showed that consumers are ready for innovation beyond the same flavors they've been eating for decades," Davis said. "That only lights a fire under us to push even harder on creating unique, bold flavors while delivering even more protein and keeping ingredients ultra-clean. The category is hot right now, and we're bringing something completely new to the conversation with our globally-inspired flavor profiles and 20 g of protein per bag." BUNKY's upcoming flavor pipeline may include options like Buffalo Ranch, Matcha, Smoked Sea Salt & Vinegar, and Korean BBQ—reflecting this appetite for adventurous taste profiles that go beyond conventional popcorn offerings while doubling down on functional benefits. Targeting Natural Grocers and Specialty Retail With the larger retail format, BUNKY is actively pursuing placement in natural grocers and regional specialty chains where consumers actively seek premium products with clean ingredient profiles. "Natural grocers are where our core customer shops—people who read labels, compare ingredients, and want both flavor and function," Davis said. "The 4.5 oz format gives us the right package and price point to compete on those shelves. That's exactly who BUNKY is for—people who refuse to compromise." Community-Driven Innovation: Letting Fans Decide What's Next Unlike traditional CPG brands where flavor development happens behind closed doors, BUNKY is taking an unconventional approach to product innovation—putting the power directly in consumers' hands. "What's unique about BUNKY's trajectory is that we're not just creating flavors in a vacuum and hoping people like them," Davis explained. "We want our community to decide what comes next. They're the ones eating it, craving it, sharing it with friends. They should be the real decision makers. Community is everything to us." BUNKY's upcoming flavor pipeline may include options like Buffalo Ranch, Matcha, Smoked Sea Salt & Vinegar, and Korean BBQ, but the final lineup will be determined by community feedback and engagement through sampling events and direct customer input. "Most CPG brands don't operate this way, but we think that's exactly why so many products miss the mark," Davis said. "Our fans know what flavors they want to see, what their friends would love, what's missing in their local stores. Why wouldn't we listen to them? This isn't just our brand—it's theirs too." This community-first approach reflects BUNKY's broader philosophy of building authentic connections with consumers rather than simply pushing products into retail channels. The brand actively engages with its community, treating platforms as two-way conversations rather than one-way marketing channels. Market Opportunity The healthy snack market is projected to reach $196.5 billion by 2035, growing at a 6.6% compound annual rate, creating a unique opportunity for brands that can deliver both indulgence and nutrition. "Big popcorn has been coasting on 'better-for-you' positioning for years, but better-for-you doesn't mean much if it's still just carbs and salt," Davis noted. "We're here to raise the bar—literally and figuratively. Great taste, real protein, actual fiber. That's the future of popcorn." About BUNKY Foods LLC Founded in Los Angeles and launched in August 2025, BUNKY is a premium protein-enhanced popcorn brand on a mission to prove that taste and function aren't mutually exclusive. Each bag delivers up to 22 g of complete whey protein, is a good source of fiber, and features air-popped texture with zero seed oils and no artificial ingredients or GMOs. BUNKY is available at 45 retail locations nationwide, direct-to-consumer online, and is actively expanding into natural grocers and specialty retailers.