• 🍇 Chubby Snacks Shutting Down
• 😲 Big Spoon Ditches Big Grocery 
• ⛔ True Food Kitchen Goes Seed Oil-Free
• 🍔 Odd Burger Raise $1M

Go Raw’s innovative Snacking Granola redefines snack time with wholesome ingredients like sprouted seeds & puffed whole grains in poppable clusters. Certified organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO, it’s perfect for snack lovers looking for a craveable, crispy treat. Enjoy straight from the bag—no spoon needed—for a satisfying snack anytime, anywhere! Learn more

Ferrero is bulking up its portfolio beyond indulgences with the proposed acquisition of U.S.-based protein snack brand Power Crunch.

• The transaction is expected to close in “the coming weeks,” per Friday’s announcement; Ferrero will assume control of Power Crunch from Bio-Nutritional Research Group, Inc. for an undisclosed sum. 

Founded in 1996, Irving, Calif.-based Power Crunch makes high-protein wafer bars and high-protein crisps using a variety of sources, including high-DH hydrolyzed whey protein and pea protein. It’s no wonder Ferrero had its eye on the better-for-you brand. 

Not only does its candy-adjacent product formats fit well within the chocolate maker’s own lineup, but Power Crunch is also positioned at the peak of two high-demand product attributes: Nutrient density and high protein. Let’s take a look around the category… 

• Snack and beverage offerings containing more than 15 grams of protein – such as Quest tortilla chips and Genius Gourmet cookie bites – make up 70% sales volume in the protein supplement category, per market researcher SPINS’ 2025 Industry Update & Trend Predictions. 
• Whey and milk animal protein were top-performing proteins in terms of dollar sales last year, bringing in $704 million. 
• According to SPINS, high-protein innovation is predicted to continue across a wide range of categories, from pantry staples to frozen meals.

Though Ferrero did not provide much insight into its plans for Power Crunch, it said the move builds on its acquisitions of better-for-you food producers FULFIL Nutrition and Eat Natural in Europe. As part of the deal, the confectionery giant will take over Bio-Nutritional Research Group’s Irvine, Calif., office, with around 50 employees joining Ferrero North America. 

“Power Crunch joining Ferrero is an amazing opportunity. The company’s commitment to quality and ambitions in the better-for-you snacks category will help bring [the brand] to more consumers than ever before,” said Kevin Lawrence, founder and CEO of Power Crunch, in a statement. 

Insiders can learn more about the transaction in the full story on Nosh.

Frozen sandwich maker Chubby Snacks appears to be ceasing operations after four years in business, following financial and legal challenges.

💰 The startup notified suppliers in a December email, reviewed by Nosh, of the decision to wind down, citing various challenges, including increased competition and limited capital.

🧑‍⚖️ ICYMI: Uncrustables maker J.M. Smucker Company filed a lawsuit last fall accusing Chubby Snacks of false advertising, trademark violations and disparagement, while a separate class action claimed the brand had mislabeled the amount of sugar in its sandwiches. 

Insiders can read the full story on Nosh.

Being nimble is one of the perks of running a small, independent CPG brand, but sometimes no amount of nimbleness can make the margins fit the business. Such is the case with nut butter maker Big Spoon Roasters, which plans to “break up with big grocery.” 

🛒 The company stated that it was leaving national grocery chains, as it parts ways with Whole Foods Market and mainline distributor UNFI, to focus on “relationships with small, regional retail partners,” in an Instagram post last week. 

🫠 The company has been sold in Whole Foods for over 10 years but said it has become clear that the national grocery distribution system is not built for small-batch brands.

💔 While thanking the UNFI and WFM teams, the post directed its consumers to buy directly from the brand’s website.

Restaurant and lifestyle brand True Food Kitchen announced it will be going completely seed oil-free beginning in February at its 46 restaurants spanning 18 states. 

🥑 The multi-year transition to avocado and olive oils across its menu was “a massive undertaking, but it was worth every step to deliver cleaner, better meals to our guests,” said Matthew Padilla, head of culinary at True Food Kitchen. 

‼️ The move is one of the latest in a growing outcry against canola oil, soybean oil and others that are believed by some to be linked to chronic health conditions; earlier this month, the Seed Oil Safe certification debuted for packaged food products.

Go Deeper: Inside the Movement Against Seed Oil

Odd Burger, a Canadian quick-service vegan restaurant chain that extended into CPG via its Preposterous Foods brand, has closed a $1 million non-brokered private placement to continue growing its footprint.

• The publicly traded plant-based business said the funding was oversubscribed with 4 million units issued at $0.25 per share. 
• Odd Burger currently operates 20 restaurants across Canada, per its investor deck, and will be coming to the U.S. soon with 136 new locations “in the pipeline.” 
• Its retail products – a line of packaged plant-based meat alternatives – are also now sold in Canadian grocery stores.

Catch Up: Odd Burger Launches Preposterous Foods To Expedite Growth