16 Snack Foods That Were Marketed Poorly
Here's a rundown of 16 real snack foods that failed because of misguided marketing, poor branding choices, or confusing product extensions.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Snack foods often live or die not just by taste but by how they are marketed, and history is full of strange flops. From Cheetos Lip Balm to Wow! Chips, many products promised innovation but instead confused, alienated, or even disgusted consumers. These examples reveal how poor marketing decisions can overshadow even decent products, turning them into cautionary tales.
1. Cheetos Lip Balm (2005)
Image from Wikipedia
PepsiCo thought extending the Cheetos brand into lip care was a clever move, but consumers found the idea of cheese-flavored lip balm unappealing. The product was marketed as quirky and fun, but it clashed with how people actually used lip balm. Instead of boosting brand loyalty, it became a joke in the snack industry.
2. Doritos 3D (1998, revived 2021)
Image from Wikipedia
Doritos 3D were heavily marketed as a futuristic snack with loud commercials in the late 1990s. The problem was that many consumers found the puffed shape less satisfying than the original chips. Despite nostalgia-fueled revivals, the product never matched the success of classic Doritos.
3. Crystal Pepsi (1992)
Image from Wikipedia
Though technically a soda, Crystal Pepsi was positioned as a healthier alternative that could also complement snacks. Its marketing promised purity and innovation, but customers were confused about why a cola was clear yet still tasted like regular Pepsi. The lack of clarity in branding led to its rapid flop.
4. Life Savers Holes (1990s)
Image from Wikipedia
Life Savers attempted to sell the “holes” punched out from their candies as a separate snack. While clever in theory, the packaging made the candy pieces resemble medicine containers, confusing parents and alarming regulators. The marketing message was unclear, and the product vanished quickly.
5. Frito-Lay Wow! Chips (1998)
Image from Wikipedia
Marketed as a guilt-free snack with Olestra, Wow! Chips were promoted with bold claims of no fat and no worries. Unfortunately, the fine print about digestive side effects, including cramps and “anal leakage,” destroyed consumer trust. The aggressive marketing could not overcome the negative publicity.
6. Colgate Beef Lasagna (1980s)
Image from Wikipedia
Colgate tried branching into frozen meals to expand brand recognition, but consumers associated the name strictly with toothpaste. The marketing suggested that a Colgate dinner could be followed by brushing with Colgate toothpaste, which did not resonate with anyone. It is remembered as a classic brand extension failure.
7. Keebler Fudge Magic Middles (1990s)
Image from Wikipedia
Keebler promoted these cookies filled with fudge as a surprise treat. While the idea was appealing, the marketing focused too much on whimsy and elves, ignoring that the cookies often tasted dry with inconsistent fillings. Consumers lost interest quickly, leading to their discontinuation.
8. Cheetos X’s and O’s (1999)
Image from Wikipedia
Cheetos tried to market X’s and O’s as a fun, kid-friendly twist on the snack. The campaign relied heavily on Chester Cheetah and game-like branding, but the actual snack offered nothing new in flavor. With little distinction beyond its shape, the marketing failed to keep it alive.
9. Jell-O Pudding Pops (1980s–1990s)
Image from Wikipedia
Despite strong early sales, the marketing strategy leaned too heavily on Bill Cosby’s persona rather than the product’s taste and nostalgia value. Once Cosby’s image declined, the product lost its main appeal. Kraft struggled to reintroduce them because the original marketing had tied the brand too closely to one spokesperson.
10. Orbitz Drink (1997)
Image from Wikipedia
Although technically a beverage, Orbitz was marketed as a snack-like futuristic experience with floating gelatin balls inside. The marketing played up its uniqueness but did little to explain the flavor or why people would want to drink it. Consumers found it more bizarre than enjoyable, leading to a quick disappearance.
11. PepsiCo’s SnackWell’s Cookies (1990s)
Image from Wikipedia
SnackWell’s were marketed during the low-fat craze as “healthy indulgences.” The ads convinced people they could binge guilt-free, but the high sugar content contradicted the healthy branding. Over time, consumer skepticism killed the line’s credibility.
12. Reese’s Peanut Butter & Banana Creme Cups (2007)
Image from Wikipedia
Released as a tribute to Elvis Presley, the product was marketed as a nostalgic, limited-edition treat. The flavor combination, however, divided fans and did not resonate beyond the Elvis connection. Once the promotion ended, so did consumer interest.
13. Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Asteroids (2000s)
Image from Wikipedia
Packaged in small plastic canisters resembling fireworks, these spicy corn puffs were marketed to kids as explosive fun. Unfortunately, the packaging made them look more like novelty toys than snacks. The marketing overpromised intensity without focusing on taste, and sales fizzled out.
14. Pringles Prints (2000s)
Image from Wikipedia
Pringles attempted to print trivia, jokes, and fun facts directly onto chips. The marketing claimed it would make snack time interactive, but consumers disliked the strange aftertaste from the edible ink. The novelty wore off fast, and the product disappeared from shelves.
15. PB Max (1990)
Image from Wikipedia
PB Max was a candy bar marketed by Mars as the ultimate peanut butter snack. Despite strong sales, Mars decided to discontinue it because company executives reportedly disliked peanut butter products. The marketing push could not save it from internal bias, making it a case of poor brand strategy.
16. PepsiCo’s Cheetos Flavored Popcorn (early 2020s)
Image from Wikipedia
Marketed as a bold crossover, Cheetos Popcorn promised the flavor of the iconic snack in a new form. However, the launch failed to distinguish it from simply sprinkling Cheetos dust on regular popcorn. Without a clear value beyond novelty, the hype faded quickly.