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Mars is advancing a snack lineup built around protein, bold flavors, distinctive textures and smaller portions. Its sponsored report describes products launching in 2026 and a 44,000-square-foot Chicago research and development hub, but provides limited detail on pricing, availability and the evidence behind some consumer statistics.
Mars is pitching protein, spicy flavors and unusual textures as priorities for its next wave of snacks, highlighting products including Cheez-It Protein, Skittles Gummy Crystals and Pringles Buffalo Wild Wings crisps. In a sponsored report published by Food Dive, the company also described a 44,000-square-foot Chicago innovation hub for chocolate and nut research, presenting the facility and product launches as part of its effort to develop snacks for changing consumer tastes.
The report says Cheez-It Protein is launching in the month of publication and contains 7 grams of protein per serving. Mars says the crackers retain the brand’s cheese flavor and are made with 100% real cheese. The report does not name the product’s price, serving size, exact launch date or the amount of protein in a comparable serving of the original snack.
Mars also describes products aimed at texture and flavor preferences. Skittles Gummy Crystals, combining a chewy center with a crunchy coating, are scheduled for an exclusive TikTok Shop launch in November, followed by a retail expansion the next year. The report lists SNICKERS Xtreme Almond and COMBOS Honey Sriracha among newer offerings, and names Pringles Buffalo Wild Wings Asian Zing as a spicy flavor inspired by the restaurant chain’s sauce.
Other launches are tied to occasions and formats. Mars says SNICKERS Football shapes were put on shelves for football season and that SNICKERS Ice Cream Minis launched in six flavors. The company links the smaller ice cream portions to demand for bite-size treats, but the report does not provide sales results or explain how widely each product is available.
How Mars Is Repositioning Its Snacks
The lineup shows how a major packaged-food company is trying to broaden the reasons people choose familiar snack brands. Protein claims put a functional selling point alongside taste, while hot flavors and contrasting textures offer novelty without requiring consumers to leave established brands such as Cheez-It, Pringles or Skittles.
That strategy matters in a crowded market where new products compete for shelf space and shoppers’ attention. Mars says its launches are designed around consumer preferences and occasions such as football games and afternoon snacking. Those are the company’s explanations of its approach, not independent evidence that the products are gaining customers or delivering stronger sales. The report gives no revenue, market-share or repeat-purchase figures for the items.
The research hub may support faster product development, but the announcement supplies no operating timetable, staffing details or measurable targets. Its practical impact will depend on what products the facility helps bring to market and whether shoppers buy them.
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Product Launches and Research Hub
The Food Dive article is labeled as sponsored content and is written from Mars’ corporate perspective. Its consumer statistics and descriptions of product appeal should be read with that source in mind. For example, Mars cites a Mintel 2026 finding that more than one-third of Gen Z and millennial consumers reported buying more value-added protein products than the prior year, but the article does not include the underlying study’s sample, methodology or full wording.
The report also cites company-selected figures on texture, extreme flavors, spicy-food labels and protein interest. It says more than 70% of consumers want treats with unique textures, nearly 60% demand “extreme” flavors, and three in five are looking to increase protein intake. These figures describe the surveys or measures as presented by Mars; the article does not provide enough detail to compare them directly or assess how representative they are.
Mars says the Chicago facility is dedicated to chocolate and nut research for brands including M&M’S, SNICKERS and KIND. It combines research, a test kitchen and production lines, according to the report. The company frames the hub as a way to move ideas toward market, but does not say when it opened beyond describing it as recently opened.
“Three in 5 consumers say they are looking to level up their protein intake”
— Mars, in the sponsored Food Dive report
Sales, Availability and Survey Detail
The report does not establish how the new products are performing, how many stores carry them, or whether they will be available nationally. It also gives no prices or detailed nutrition panels for the products, limiting direct comparisons on value or nutritional content.
Some timing is relative rather than precise. Skittles Gummy Crystals are described as launching on TikTok Shop in November and expanding to retail the following year, but the report does not specify exact dates or retailers. The article’s consumer statistics are presented without full survey details, and the claims about shopper demand are not independently verified within the source. It is also unclear which future products, if any, will result from the Chicago facility.
Retail Rollouts and Product Results
The next stated milestone is the Skittles Gummy Crystals TikTok Shop launch in November, followed by a planned retail expansion the next year. Cheez-It Protein is described as launching in the month the report was published, while SNICKERS Football shapes are linked to the current football season. Mars has not announced specific sales targets or further launch dates in the source material.
Retail availability, published nutrition information and sales data would help show whether the products reach shoppers as planned and find sustained demand. Mars may also use its Chicago hub to develop additional products, but the report identifies no named future launches from the facility.
Key Questions
What is Cheez-It Protein?
According to Mars, it is a Cheez-It snack with 7 grams of protein per serving, sharp cheese flavor and crackers made with 100% real cheese. The report does not provide its full nutrition panel or price.
When will Skittles Gummy Crystals be available?
Mars says the candy is scheduled to launch exclusively on TikTok Shop in November, with a retail expansion planned for the following year. The report does not name specific retailers or exact dates.
What is Mars’ Chicago innovation hub for?
The company describes the 44,000-square-foot facility as a center for chocolate and nut research, with a test kitchen and production lines. Mars says it will support work on brands including SNICKERS, M&M’S and KIND, but has not identified specific products developed there.
Has Mars shown that these products are selling well?
The sponsored report does not provide sales, market-share or repeat-purchase data for the products. Mars describes consumer preferences and some shoppers’ reactions, but those details do not establish commercial performance.
Source: rss
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