Taco Bell announced the launch of the Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme and the Big Cheez-It Tostada on Thursday, created through a partnership with Kellanova, the company that makes Cheez-Its. Both feature a Cheez-It cracker that’s 16 times larger than the original square bite-size snack.
The two new menu items are available immediately on the app to Taco Bell Rewards Members but will roll out nationwide on June 6.
Taco Bell and Kellanova first teamed up in 2022, testing the Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme and the Big Cheez-It Tostada at one location near Taco Bell’s headquarters in Irvine, California. Each is built around the oversized cheese-flavored crackers.
For the Crunchwrap, the traditional tostada shell is replaced with a giant Cheez-It before getting wrapped in a tortilla and grilled; the filling includes seasoned beef, warm nacho cheese sauce, lettuce, reduced-fat sour cream and diced tomatoes. It sells for $5.49.
The Tostada uses the large Cheez-It cracker as a base that’s topped with layers of seasoned beef, diced tomatoes, lettuce, shredded cheese and reduced-fat sour cream; it’s priced at $3.99. Guests can also order a Big Cheez-It Box for $8.99 that includes the Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme, a beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Nacho Fries and a medium fountain drink.
“This collaboration isn't just about bringing together two iconic brands; it's about taking the spirit of fan innovation to create something truly larger than life," said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s global chief food innovation officer, in a statement. "We're thrilled to launch this exciting partnership nationwide and offer fans a whole new way to experience the classic cheesy and crunchy flavors they love from Taco Bell and Cheez-It.”
Attendees at Taco Bell’s Live Mas Live event in Las Vegas got a first look at the two Cheez-It-inspired items in February, when the Irvine, California-based fast-food chain revealed its 2024 marketing calendar. Since then, Taco Bell has been releasing new products from its pipeline, including its Chicken Cantina Crispy Taco, Cheesy Chicken Crispinada and Tajin Twists. There’s also the Ice Cream Chocolate Taco, an ice cream taco created in collaboration with Salt & Straw artisan ice cream. It’s made with hand-pressed waffle cones shaped like taco shells, then stuffed with ice cream, dipped in chocolate and studded with toasted brown rice.
Although the Cheez-It menu additions are not snacks, they do tap into the growing snacking trend. Cheez-Its have great awareness as a craveable snack.
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