Every now and then, a food brand will try something different in an effort to rejuvenate its products and hopefully attract new customers.
Sometimes these pay off handsomely, such as Peanut M&Ms, which are arguably more popular than the original.
Other times, a new idea doesn't resonate quite as well with its existing fan base. (Crystal Pepsi, anyone?)
Recently, General Mills made a noteworthy attempt to attract new fans of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but the initial launch sparked a decidedly polarizing response from consumers.
In 2015, General Mills entered a partnership with Hormel, eventually leading to the release of their Black Label bacon covered in "Cinnadust" last year.
Now the two food titans are collaborating again, only this time in reverse.
Currently available for purchase at Walmart is Bacon Flavored Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
As read in a press release, this "sizzling sequel" to last year's Cinnadust-infused bacon sees the popular cereal now "infused with the smoky flavor of BLACK LABEL® Bacon and blasted with CINNADUST™." They described the new concoction as a "savory satisfaction" that is "perfect for breakfast or snacking."
Brandon Tyrrel, the senior marketing manager at General Mills, also offered his excitement at this new collaboration, declaring it to be "rewriting the rules of breakfast":
"Bringing these two iconic breakfast staples and irresistible flavors together gives our fans even more reason why they Must Cinnadust.”
Aly Sill, senior brand manager at Hormel Foods, also gave a rousing endorsement to this unique breakfast merger.
“After seeing the fan response to last year’s collaboration, we knew we had to bring these two breakfast icons back together.”
“We’re shaking up the way bacon fits into daily routines, and we can’t wait for consumers to experience it."
Unfortunately, at least based on some reactions on social media, both Tyrrel and Sill might need to level their expectations.
X (formerly Twitter) users wasted no time in expressing their disgust at this variation of the classic cereal.
Walmart customers are currently able to buy the Bacon Flavored Cinnamon Toast Crunch in 6-oz packages for $5.84, while supplies last.
Based on the less-than-warm reception they were greeted with on social media, it's hard to imagine these 6-oz packages will be flying off the shelves.
At the end of the day, only time will tell if this will become the new Honey Nut Cheerios or sink like KFC's Double Down sandwich.
