Gourmet News

Harry Potter Kinder Joy Collection Available for Limited Time

Published April 18, 2024

Kinder Joy

Ferrero North America, the makers of Kinder Joy, the delicious treat plus toy made to help parents create everyday surprises for their children, is partnering with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products and Funko, for a of Harry Potter Kinder Joy Eggs. The assortment features 16 Funko toys specially designed to bring families together to create magical memories. This limited-edition lineup includes two pencil toppers, two sticky notes, two bookmarks and 10 Funko figurines that include Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore, Hagrid and more.

In celebration of this new collection, Kinder Joy is partnering with the beloved Harry Potter film actor and everyone’s favorite Slytherin, Tom Felton.

“Kinder Joy’s ability to capture some of the magic of the franchise gives fans a new way to experience its excitement and allows its legacy to be passed along to an all-new generation of witches, wizards and Muggles,” said Felton. “Through playing Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films I have seen firsthand how connected the fans are and I can’t wait to see how much they enjoy the Harry Potter Kinder Joy eggs.”

Fans, parents and children alike will be able to discover the full Harry Potter collection which includes the iconic Kinder Joy treat featuring delicious layers of cocoa and sweet-cream and topped with crispy wafer bites filled with cocoa cream. All 16 toys can also be scanned and brought to life in Applaydu, an app that uses augmented reality to extend playtime. The free app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

“We are excited to bring the new Harry Potter collection to families and have Kinder Joy be a part of those special moments of wonder shared between parents and children,” said Amber Hansinger, vice president of marketing for Kinder Joy. “Harry Potter is a franchise loved by people of all ages, and through this collection, we are hoping to play a small part in how parents introduce their kids to the iconic Harry Potter films.”

The Kinder Joy Harry Potter toy collection is available nationwide while supplies last. For more information on the Kinder brand and where to find Kinder Joy eggs in retail, please visit www.Kinder.com as well as the pages for Kinder US on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Kinder Joy is part of the portfolio of brands by Ferrero U.S.A., Inc., the confectionery company known also for Ferrero Rocher, Tic Tac and Nutella The Original Hazelnut Spread. Kinder Joy first broke onto the U.S. confectionery scene in 2018, quickly winning over American consumers with its delicious creamy layers, chocolate-covered wafer bites and exciting surprise toy. It has quickly become a beloved treat and toy, earning the title of “2019 Product of the Year” within the Kids Novelty Snack category by Product of the Year USA. For more information on the Kinder® brand and where to find Kinder Joy® eggs in retail, please visit www.Kinder.com, Kinder US Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved treats and snacks including Nutella, Kinder, Tic Tac, and Ferrero Rocher. More than 38,000 employees are passionate about helping people celebrate life’s special moments. The Ferrero Group’s family culture, now in its generation, is based on dedication to quality and excellence, heritage and a commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate.

Ferrero entered the North American market in 1969 and has grown to more than 5,100 employees in 15 plants and warehouses, and eight offices in North America across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It has expanded its presence and portfolio with the addition of iconic brands such as Butterfinger^®, CRUNCH^®, Keebler^®, Famous Amos^®, Mother’s Cookies^®, and other distinctive cookie and chocolate brands. Follow @FerreroNACorp on Twitter and Instagram. www.ferreronorthamerica.com.

From the moment 11-year-old Harry Potter met Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his adventures have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Today, over 25 years later, the Harry Potter phenomenon thrives as one of the most successful and best-loved entertainment properties in history.

J.K. Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter novels have been brought to life in an ever-evolving, interconnected universe which is loved by millions of fans worldwide. Eight blockbuster Harry Potter films and three epic Fantastic Beasts films bring the spellbinding action to life on screen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child mesmerizes on stage, and state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games allow players to experience the wizarding world like never before. Fans can proudly showcase their passion through innovative consumer products, and thrill at spectacular location-based experiences – including five theme park lands at Universal Studios locations around the world.

This expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts offerings includes ground-breaking touring experiences and events, each developed to celebrate special moments and locations that fans cherish, as well as the Platform 9 3⁄4 retail shops and iconic flagship store – Harry Potter New York. Wizards, Witches and Muggles alike can also discover something new as they explore behind-the-scenes secrets at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter.

With a new Max Original TV series based on the Harry Potter books on the way, this extended world continues to provide the community with fresh and exciting ways to interact. For its global fans, and for generations to come, it invites everyone in to find the magic for themselves.

For the latest Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts news and features, visit www.wizardingworld.com.

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, part of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands, Franchises and Experiences, extends the company’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBDGCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on award-winning toy, fashion, home décor and publishing programs inspired by the biggest franchises from Warner Bros.’ film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, DC, Cartoon Network, HGTV, Eurosport, Adult Swim, and more. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, and promotional partnerships, WBDGCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

Headquartered in Everett, Wash., Funko is a leading pop culture lifestyle brand. Funko designs, sources and distributes licensed pop culture products across multiple categories, including vinyl figures, board games, action toys, plush, apparel, housewares and accessories for consumers who seek tangible ways to connect with their favorite pop culture brands and characters. Learn more at https://funko.com/, and follow us on X (@OriginalFunko) and Instagram (@OriginalFunko). Loungefly™ are registered trademarks of Funko, LLC.

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Swamp Dragon Hot Sauce Reluctantly Suspends Operations

Published April 15, 2024

Matt Beeson created Swamp Dragon hot sauce for those who love hot sauce but don’t like the vinegary taste. Beeson created the world’s first hot sauce made with liquor as a preservative, not vinegar. He put a lovable dragon cartoon on the label, so families would know it’s still kid-friendly.

Making Swamp Dragon and growing the brand was a passion for Beeson. He’s been networking to find the resources to keep Swamp Dragon going, but has been unable to. (Read more in the April/May issue of Gourmet News.) Now, Beeson has made the heartbreaking decision to suspend operations.

“Swamp Dragon is officially suspending operations,” Beeson wrote on his LinkedIn page, the company website and other social media, this time featuring a sad dragon. “We will continue filling web orders until inventory depletes (very soon, so go now if you care to), and then the company will remain idle until I fix things.

“I am sorry that most or none of you have had, and may never have, Chocolate Bourbon Hot Sauce or Piña Colada Hot Sauces. The flavors I am able to achieve without vinegar are unlike anything before, and cannot be had by any other than my patented method.

“This company and invention is a source of deep pride for me. Suspending the operation does not change that. With the help of supporters, family, volunteers and more, Swamp Dragon made a very real splash. Alas, with insufficient funding, the runway WILL expire. It did.

“As I suspend things, I walk away from massive sales and business opportunity that was always and still is there. The product is delicious, incomparable, and very easy to sell. It’s a f$%King shame of the highest order.

“Hopefully soon, I will have the necessary resources to relaunch properly. Thank you all so very much for your support, advice, patronage, and love.

“I cannot say with any certainty that I will relaunch. But it is the plan. Don’t give up on me.

:Now that’s out, so maybe I can get a little more vocal about finding my next job. Hire me!”

Once again, Gourmet News will feature more on Beeson’s quest to save Swamp Dragon in the April/May issue. Subscribe now so you don’t miss it!

Maison Solutions Acquires Arizona-Based Asian Grocer Lee Lee Supermarkets

Published April 10, 2024

Maison Solutions Inc. a U.S.-based specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian and international food and merchandise, has acquired Lee Lee Oriental Supermart, Inc., a three-store supermarket chain operating under the name, Lee Lee International Supermarkets, in the greater Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.

The company acquired the supermarkets through AZLL, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company and the company’s wholly owned subsidiary. The purchase price of $22.2 million will be paid over a 10-month period and includes $7 million in cash paid immediately at closing on April 8, with the rest paid through a secured note agreement.

“This transaction demonstrates our strategy of expanding by acquisition in geographic locations with large and growing Asian and ethnic populations,” said John Xu, president and chief executive officer of Maison Solutions. “Lee Lee International Supermarkets has an established brand presence in Arizona and is a perfect fit for Maison, giving us a base for further growth in the region.

“The strategic acquisition is expected to add approximately $70 million in annual revenue for us, effectively doubling our current size. We remain committed to future growth through new store openings and acquisitions,” Xu added.

Stores Highlights:

The Chandler (Phoenix metro area) store comprises more than 52,000 square feet. This market includes a Vietnamese restaurant, a bakery, and a jewelry store.
The Peoria (Phoenix metro area) store comprises more than 60,000 square feet. This market includes a Vietnamese restaurant, a boba tea store, a jewelry store and a clothing store.
The Tucson store comprises more than 51,000 square feet. This market includes a Vietnamese restaurant and a BBQ restaurant.

Lee Lee International Supermarkets is the largest international market in Arizona. Its three locations offer products from more than 30 countries and regions, and provide the highest quality product selection available. Founded over 30 years ago, Lee Lee International Supermarkets has won multiple awards for best international supermarket, Asian market and specialty foods.

Maison Solutions Inc. is a U.S.-based specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise, particularly to members of Asian-American communities. The Company is committed to providing Asian fresh produce, meat, seafood, and other daily necessities in a manner that caters to traditional Asian-American family values and cultural norms, while also accounting for the new and faster-paced lifestyle of younger generations and the diverse makeup of the communities in which the company operates. Since its formation in 2019, the company has acquired equity interests in four traditional Asian supermarkets in the Los Angeles area, and has been operating them under the brand name HK Good Fortune.

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