PepsiCo Foods U.S. has launched PopCorners Protein, a new line of popped corn chips delivering 9 grams of protein per serving across three flavors: Hickory BBQ, Zesty Cheddar, and Cinnamon Delight. The product marks the brand's first direct move into the fast-growing protein snack segment, which has seen sustained consumer demand across both retail and foodservice channels.
For operators stocking grab-and-go cases, hotel pantries, or catering snack selections, PopCorners Protein slots into a sweet spot between indulgence and nutrition. The popped, never-fried format preserves the light crunch the brand is known for while meeting the protein thresholds that health-conscious guests increasingly seek on ingredient labels. The three-flavor lineup covers savory and sweet dayparts, giving buyers flexibility when building out a snack assortment.
The protein snack category has become a genuine revenue driver for hospitality operations, as guests look beyond traditional chip options toward products that align with wellness goals without sacrificing taste. PepsiCo's scale in distribution means the new SKUs should reach convenience, grocery, and foodservice supply chains relatively quickly, reducing the sourcing friction operators often face when introducing trend-forward items. Industry observers tracking better-for-you snack trends in restaurants will note that popped and air-crisped formats continue to outpace traditional fried snacks in new-product velocity.
The launch was confirmed in a corrected release issued May 21, 2026, by PepsiCo Foods U.S. through PR Newswire. Additional product details were appended to the updated release, though full nutritional panels and suggested retail pricing were not disclosed in the announcement. Food & Beverage Magazine and its network continue to monitor PepsiCo's innovation pipeline across snack and beverage categories.
For buyers evaluating the broader snack and beverage procurement landscape, PopCorners Protein represents a credible addition to a segment where brand recognition and clean-eating positioning both matter to end consumers. The established PopCorners name should ease menu integration and staff selling points in hospitality environments where guest familiarity drives snack purchase decisions.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
