Sabrina Sierant: We've certainly seen stronger growth for these on-the-go snacks. Over recent years, it's growing roughly two times faster than at-home snacking, and our Mondelēz on-the-go packs provide multiple benefits—not just portability, but also freshness, portion control, and variety. Families can purchase a multi-pack with different brands inside to satisfy the different members of the household. We're continuing to evolve with consumers’ needs by broadening this portfolio and offering more variety in these on-the-go snacks.

JS: What are some of the other factors driving increased interest in on-the-go snack pack formats?

SS: Portion control is a big one. We've published our State of Snacking report, and in it, we found that 69% of global consumers are looking for snacks that are portion-controlled, and so we're seeing that be a big driver. Consumers might be purchasing for on-the-go, and they're actually eating it at home as well.

JS: Could you talk a little bit about how producers are working to meet the demand for on-the-go, and portion control? And, are there any ways you think producers are maybe falling short?

SS: At Mondelēz, in addition to focusing on offerings like our core cookies and crackers in these on-the-go formats, we're looking to meet the demand by bringing in successful at-home innovations to on-the-go pack types. For example, after seeing success with Oreo and Chips Ahoy gluten-free in at-home packs, we decided to launch them in multi-packs to offer an on-the-go version for those gluten-interested consumers. We're seeing success with those packs, so I think we'll continue; that is an area of opportunity, and these consumers are looking for variety as well. 

Also, as we're looking for packaging benefits and features to help meet the needs for on-the-go snacking, we currently have in our portfolio these two pack types that are resealable. We have Snack Sacks and Go-Packs, which are little 3-oz cups that fit in your car cup holder and come with a lid for resealability—some really great benefits. While we have this great pack type with Oreo, Mini Oreo, and Mini Chips Ahoy, I would say where we're falling short or have an opportunity is to expand the assortment to other brands like Ritz Bits, or other flavors like Oreo Golden or Nutter Butter. Then, we’re exploring how to modernize or improve other pack types, like our big bags that we've had for a while, which are not resealable—we’re exploring how potentially to evolve that. 

JS: One of the retail developments I’m a big fan of his the ‘snack rack’ at grocery stores, big-box stores, and Five Below, which is a section dominated by single-serve packs. I appreciate the ability to have portion-controlled packs in core products, but also some of the new stuff if I’d like to try. Could you please talk a little bit more about recent innovations in this space, like Big Chewy, Fresh Stacks, and others you’ve delivered?

SS: I’ll start with Big Chewy—with that one, we launched a big chewy Chips at the end of last year in convenience stores, to deliver on the consumer needs for a more indulgent and satiating snack while on-the-go. We've seen strong repeat and are looking to continue to support the new platform. That one was born from what consumers were looking for that the current portfolio didn't offer, so we were excited to launch that. 

You mentioned Ritz Fresh Stacks, which has really been a growth engine for the brand—it’s not just delivering on freshness, but also portability and portion control, and so I would expect to see more expansion there. Where we are seeing these pockets of growth, we're going to continue to expand that part of the portfolio. 

Another successful piece of it is what you mentioned, where we're launching limited editions in both immediate consumption packs and also in our multi-packs. Right now, you can find in stores, Oreo Reese's, and Chips Ahoy Stranger Things in two-count multi packs. We've seen that consumers want these on-the-go packs, and they want excitement and new things for on-the-go as well as at home

JS: Another fun thing to watch as a food journalist is social media trends. What are some of the TikTok and other trends around snacking that Mondelēz has had its eye on?

SS: One of the trends is “What I Eat in a Day at Work,” which is really fun and relevant for us as we're returning to the office. It's great to see how consumers are enjoying on-the-go snacks in their everyday life, and it's opened our eyes. Historically, multi-packs have been seen as for school lunches, but our brands are loved across generations, and adults are not just sending their kids back to school, but they're returning to work themselves and packing lunches for themselves and seeking those portion-controlled portable snacks.  TikTok gives a sneak peek into consumers’ lives without having to go to a focus group. It’s been great to watch, whether it's TikTok or Instagram Reels, or any of the other platforms, to see how consumers are continuing to show off those products coming to life.

JS: If it’s not too personal, what are your favorite Mondelēz products? 

SS: It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I will say it depends on my mood, if I want something sweet or savory.  I would say Ritz Cracker Sandwiches with the peanut butter filling—actually, I just had some right now. It’s 4 four o'clock and I needed something that's a little bit satiating, so that's a great afternoon snack. Then, I think Oreo Reese’s is my other favorite right now; my typical go-to is Chips Ahoy. I know I might be biased, because I was working on Chips Ahoy for a while.

JS: I'm here for all the Stranger Things tie-ins, which I find delightful as a consumer, especially the ones like the Chips Ahoy Stranger Things and other tie-ins, which are more than, “Let’s just put Eleven and Mike on the packaging”—the product itself is dark and creepy and awesome.

SS: That one was fun to work on—it has the red seeping through, so it’s like the Upside Down is breaking through.

JS: Are there any upcoming products or other fun collaborations you can share?

SS: There's a lot of delicious innovation coming next year—unfortunately, I can't share, because that stuff is under lock and key with code names and everything. I will say a lot of the innovations that we're launching for next year, whether it's cookies or crackers, will be launching in on-the-go packs as well, with immediate consumption and multi-packs. I'm really excited that we'll have new news across both spaces and more to come. I'm sorry I can't spill the beans.

 Related: 'State of Snacking' provides holiday insights