Rotten Further Expands National Footprint with Major Kroger Launch

Santa Monica, CA — 05/13/2026 — Rotten, the better-for-you candy brand that has become the #1 driver of category growth in the Natural Channel since Q4 2025, announced a major national rollout into Kroger stores. The launch marks the brand's largest retail expansion to date and its first major national placement in mass grocery, following a string of wins across natural and conventional retail.

Beginning in May, Kroger shoppers will find two of Rotten's viral Gummy Cruncheez flavors on shelf: Original and Sour. Both feature the brand's unique texture innovation—a soft gummy center with a crunchy exterior—and are formulated with lower sugar, no artificial dyes, and added fiber to help keep you satisfied. The products arrive at a moment when retailers across the country are actively working to eliminate artificial dyes from their shelves, positioning Rotten at the intersection of consumer demand and retailer priority.

“This Kroger partnership is a huge step for Rotten to keep showing up everywhere candy is purchased, while making it easier than ever to discover the brand across the country,” said Rotten’s Head of Sales, Adam Hertel. “We're honored to have this opportunity to expand Kroger's candy assortment as a quickly emerging category leader.”

The Kroger launch builds on a period of accelerating momentum for Rotten. Since emerging as the #1 driver of category growth following national distribution in the Natural Channel last fall, the brand has rapidly expanded into Costco and regional powerhouses including Meijer, establishing a broad retail foundation ahead of this national push. The Kroger partnership signals growing confidence from major retailers in Rotten's ability to bring new consumers into the better-for-you candy set without asking them to give anything up.

The rollout positions Rotten within Kroger's growing better-for-you snack and confection set, where consumer demand for cleaner alternatives has continued to accelerate.

About Rotten

Rotten started with one question: What if candy was actually better? We are candy first, just without the unnecessary junk—lower sugar, no artificial dyes, and prebiotic fiber packed into a gummy with a soft center and crunchy exterior that earns its place in the candy aisle with its freakishly delicious flavors.