PepsiCo Foods has introduced Good Warrior, a new masterbrand focused on protein snacks, with Good Warrior Beef Sticks due to reach selected US retailers this month.
The company said the launch broadens its food and beverage range featuring added functional benefits.
PepsiCo claims its Good Warrior Beef Sticks are made with grass-fed and finished beef and provide 10g of protein, 0g of sugar and 100 calories per serving.
The sticks are described as gluten free and made without artificial colours or flavours, and will be sold in original and Jalapeño Pepper varieties.
PepsiCo Foods said the range targets shoppers looking for portable protein options, pointing to a recent national survey indicating that 86% of Americans want to increase protein intake.
The company added that the same survey found consumers still face a shortage of convenient choices that also taste good.
PepsiCo Foods US marketing senior vice president Tina Mahal said: “We created Good Warrior because people deserve protein snacks that don’t feel like a compromise.
“We are starting with two delicious beef stick flavours and are bringing even more tasty options in other categories later this year.”
PepsiCo Foods positioned Good Warrior Beef Sticks alongside other recent introductions featuring added benefits, including Doritos Protein and SmartFood Fiber Pop coated popcorn.
It also cited SunChips Fiber whole grain and black bean snacks, Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, poppi Prebiotic Soda, Quaker Protein Granola Bars and Quaker Protein Old Fashioned Oats.
The list also included Starbucks Coffee & Protein, which PepsiCo Foods referenced as part of its recent activity in functional offerings.
In November last year, PepsiCo introduced Pepsi Prebiotic Cola via a limited online release in the US on Black Friday.
The company said the cola was offered in Original Cola and Cherry Vanilla, and contained 30 calories per serving, 5g of sugar and 3g of prebiotic fibre.
