Iconic candy bar launches 3 new flavors to win back customers | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

In 2023, households across the country spent an average of $164 on candy and chewing gum, which is 31.2% higher than in 2022, and a staggering 86.4% more than in 2013, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This doesn’t just suggest that Americans are eating more candy; rather, it suggests that the price of sweets has dramatically increased, driven by inflation, higher labor costs, and other factors.

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Over the last few years, consumers have been raising concerns about candy companies’ new trend of shrinking packages and raising prices.

One post on Reddit from two years ago reveals an image of a piece of tiramisu, with the consumer saying that the price for the piece is close to the cost of the entire cake.

Despite rising costs and new health trends among younger generations, the U.S. candy market is not subsiding. It was valued at $16.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $23.2 billion by 2032.

After all, there’s nothing more comforting than your favorite candy. Especially that first bite after a long craving. For some, it feels like a drug.

According to Food Republic, Mars Inc.’s Snickers is the best-selling candy bar in the world. However, it is not everyone’s favorite. That’s why the candy bar market is constantly evolving, with new treats being launched regularly.

Butterfinger introduces three new flavors — Salted Caramel, Marshmallow, and French Toast — to win back customers.

Image source&colon; Wendy van Overstreet/Shutterstock

Butterfinger introduces three new wild flavors

Butterfinger is an iconic candy, and its combination of a “crispety, crunchety, peanut buttery” bar dressed with a thick chocolatey layer seems to hit the spot for a large group of sweet tooths.

In 2018, the Ferrero Group, known for legendary brands Nutella, Kinder, Tic Tac, and Ferrero Rocher, acquired Butterfinger for $2.8 billion in cash.

Ferrero has a history of innovations and product launches. Just recently, it revealed the first Nutella innovation in over 60 years: Nutella Peanut, which will be available in spring 2026.

The brand recently released the Salted Caramel Butterfinger, and some consumers raved about it on Reddit. Several posts on different threads claim that the new candy is far better than any other Butterfinger.

Some said they can’t wait for the remaining two new flavors to become available.

Butterfinger will roll out the new Marshmallow flavor in mid-August, and next year, consumers will be in for a treat with a special French Toast flavor.

The Marshmallow flavor is said to include the candy bar’s signature crispy, peanut butter-concentrated filling wrapped in a white chocolate coating with a marshmallow flavor. It’s basically a familiar and beloved format with a twist.

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According to comments, consumers are most excited about the French Toast Butterfinger flavor set to roll out early in 2026.

This just might be a good move for the candy brand to regain customers.

Butterfinger’s move to win back customers after a big change

After Ferrero took over the Butterfinger from Nestle, many consumers turned away, arguing that the beloved candy bar just didn’t taste the same anymore.

“They used to be my all time fav candy, but now I don’t even like them. I miss the old recipe so much,” one consumer wrote on Reddit. Another one didn’t comment on the new ones, but expressed nostalgia for the old one that was “unique and replicable.”

However, as tastes differ, not everyone agrees that the reformulated Butterfinger is inferior to the original. Some buyers even argue that the candy is now better.

“I actually prefer them now that Ferrero took over. They don’t have this cloying chemical flavor, the chocolatey coating actually melts, and it doesn’t stick in your teeth.”

When the reformulated Butterfinger was introduced in 2019, it faced considerable consumer backlash, but eventually, it was a success, with sales reportedly improving 17.7%, according to BackThenHistory.

However, looking at the myriad of comments, some consumers still crave the original Butterfinger, which means Ferrero has room for improvement to win back those customers.

Perhaps these new flavors will do the trick, as consumers will be expecting something brand new rather than something old and familiar.