Lunchly

Last updated

Lunchly
Lunchly logo.svg
Lunchly pizza kit inside.jpg
"The Pizza" Lunchly; pepperoni, cheese, "pizza crust" and tomato sauce. Includes a Feastables Milk Crunch bar (pictured below crust) and a bottle of Cherry Freeze Prime.
Product type Snack
OwnerLunchly LLC
Produced by MrBeast, Logan Paul, KSI
Country USA, UK
IntroducedSeptember 16, 2024;3 months ago (2024-09-16)
Related brands Prime, Feastables
Registered as a trademark inUnited States; May 16, 2024 [1]
Ambassador(s) KSI
Logan Paul
MrBeast
Website lunchly.com

Lunchly (stylized in uppercase letters) is a brand of snack kits created and marketed by Lunchly LLC. The brand is promoted and founded as a joint venture between YouTubers Olajide "KSI" Olatunji, Logan Paul, and Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson. It is marketed as a healthier competitor to Kraft Heinz's Lunchables. The product line was announced on September 16, 2024.

Contents

Each box includes a Prime drink and a Feastables chocolate bar, each preexisting popular products by the producer offered by the creators, along with three varieties including turkey with cheese and crackers, nachos with salsa and cheese, or pizza.

The product has been criticized by online personalities and health campaigners, and there have been reports of mold being found within the product.

History

The product was announced to the public by KSI, Logan Paul, and MrBeast as a collaboration on September 16, 2024, [2] [3] following other food and beverage products such as Prime, a range of energy and sports drinks by Olatunji and Paul, and Feastables, a brand of chocolate bars by Donaldson. Both products are sold in combination with Lunchly kits. Lunchly is intended as a "healthier" alternative to Kraft Heinz's Lunchables, and the website features a calorie and sugar comparison to that product on its website. [4] [2] [5]

At the time of Lunchly's release, Donaldson was in the midst of numerous controversies of his own. [6] [7] A number of social media experts speaking to Business Insider stated that Lunchly may benefit from the negative attention Donaldson was exposed to, while also noting that the launch may come across as a distraction. [8] Following Lunchly's negative reception online, Paul claimed that Lunchly's headquarters had received a bomb threat [9] from a caller based in London. [10]

Products

Contents of the Fiesta Nachos, with a Feastables bar in the nacho chips Lunchly Fiesta Nachos.jpg
Contents of the Fiesta Nachos, with a Feastables bar in the nacho chips

Lunchly currently has three varieties of lunch kits, all of which are reinterpretations of Lunchables products.

Reception

Marketing

Lunchly was criticized by a number of Internet personalities. YouTuber DanTDM expressed his disapproval of Lunchly, stating on Twitter: "This is selling crap to kids who don't know better than to trust the people who are selling it to them." [14] In response, KSI claimed that Lunchly's negative reception stemmed from a dislike that critics have for Paul, Donaldson, and himself. [15]

Forbes described the three packaged meals as "almost identical to existing offerings by Lunchables". [2] After the product's launch, The Mary Sue stated that Lunchly was likely intended to boost sales for Prime Hydration and Feastables. [16]

Health concerns

Reviewing the product in October, YouTuber Rosanna Pansino reported finding mold growing on the cheese in a packet of "The Pizza" style. [17] [18] [19] Following this, a number of social media users claimed to have likewise found mold in Lunchly packages. [20] The Food and Drug Administration confirmed that it received over ten complaints about Lunchly, with one consumer reporting an illness linked to the product. [21]

Doctor Mike, a family physician who releases educational health videos on YouTube, acknowledged that the product's sugar and saturated fat were slightly less than Lunchables, but estimated that a child would have to eat 2.7 Lunchly Turkey Stack 'Ems to achieve their recommended lunchtime calorie intake, and in doing so would consume close to their recommended daily intake of sodium. [22] [9] UK health campaigners voiced similar criticism of Lunchly. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doritos</span> American brand of flavored tortilla chips

Doritos is an American brand of flavored tortilla chips produced by Frito-Lay, a wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiCo. The concept for Doritos originated at Disneyland at a restaurant managed by Frito-Lay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">String cheese</span> Elongated type of cheese

String cheese is any of several different types of cheese where the manufacturing process aligns the proteins in the cheese, making it stringy.

Lunchables is an American brand of food and snacks manufactured by Kraft Heinz in Chicago, Illinois, and marketed under the Oscar Mayer brand. They were initially introduced in Seattle in 1988 before being released nationally in 1989. Many Lunchables products are produced in a Garland, Texas, facility, and are then distributed across the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bugles (snack)</span> Corn snack food made by General Mills

Bugles are a corn snack produced by General Mills and Tom's Snacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheez-It</span> Baked cheese crackers

Cheez-It is a brand of cheese crackers manufactured by Kellanova through its Sunshine Biscuits division. Approximately 26 by 24 mm, the rectangular crackers are made with wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, and spices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dipping sauce</span> Type of sauce

A dip or dip sauce is a common condiment for many types of food. Dips are used to add flavor or texture to a food, such as pita bread, dumplings, crackers, chopped raw vegetables, fruits, seafood, cubed pieces of meat and cheese, potato chips, tortilla chips, falafel, and sometimes even whole sandwiches in the case of jus. Unlike other sauces, instead of applying the sauce to the food, the food is typically placed or dipped into the sauce.

Dairylea is a popular brand of processed cheese products produced by Mondelēz International and available in Ireland and the United Kingdom. As of 2017, it is also available in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSI</span> English boxer, influencer and musician (born 1993)

Olajide Olayinka Williams "JJ" Olatunji, better known by his online alias KSI, is an English influencer, professional boxer, and musician. He is a co-founding member of YouTube group the Sidemen, the CEO of Misfits Boxing, and the co-owner of Prime Hydration, XIX Vodka, Sidemen Clothing, restaurant chain Sides, cereal brand Best Breakfasts, and pre-made lunch brand Lunchly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosanna Pansino</span> American YouTuber (born 1985)

Rosanna Jeanne Reardon, known online as Rosanna Pansino is an American YouTuber, actress, author, businesswoman, and singer. She is known for hosting her baking series Nerdy Nummies on YouTube (2011–present). She has written two cookbooks and released a baking line based on the show. She has won a Shorty Award and five Streamy Award nominations for Nerdy Nummies. She was listed first on Forbes'Top Influencers: Food list in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DanTDM</span> English YouTuber (born 1991)

Daniel Robert Middleton, better known as DanTDM, is a British YouTuber, gamer, and author. He is primarily known for his Let's Play videos, particularly those featuring Minecraft, Roblox, Pokémon and Five Nights at Freddy's. Middleton's YouTube channel, which he started in 2012, has amassed over 29 million subscribers and 19 billion views as of 2024, making him one of the most popular content creators on the platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheese and crackers</span> Dish, often served with wine, fruit, or meat

Cheese and crackers, also known as cheese and biscuits in the UK, is the pairing of crackers with cheese. Historically the fare of sailors, soldiers, and pioneers, cheese and crackers had become a common menu item in American restaurants and bars by the 1850s. Many different types of cheeses and crackers are used and the food is often paired with wine. Cheese and crackers may also be served with fruit preparations or preserves, pickles, stuffed olives and preserved meats, such as salami, pepperoni or various sausages. Mass-produced cheese and crackers include Handi-Snacks, Ritz, Jatz and Lunchables.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MrBeast</span> American YouTuber and businessman (born 1998)

James Stephen "Jimmy" Donaldson, better known by his online alias MrBeast, is an American YouTuber, internet personality, and businessman. He is known for his fast-paced and high-production videos featuring elaborate challenges and lucrative giveaways. With over 330 million subscribers, he has the most subscribers of any YouTube channel, and is the third-most-followed creator on TikTok with over 104 million followers. He also has over 60 million followers on Instagram and 30.9 million on X.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MrBeast Burger</span> American fast food chain

MrBeast Burger is an American virtual restaurant founded and developed by internet personality Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast), in partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts, LLC. There are virtual locations in North America and Europe, with plans to expand to more countries and increase the number of locations significantly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime (drink)</span> Energy and sports drink

Prime is a range of sports drinks, drink mixes and energy drinks created and marketed by Prime Hydration, LLC. The range is promoted and founded by internet personalities Logan Paul and Olajide "KSI" Olatunji. The announcement and the release of the product in 2022 was followed by a social media hype associated with these social media personalities, who have tens of millions of followers combined. It was also promoted through mainstream sports sponsorship deals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feastables</span> Chocolate brand by MrBeast

Feastables is a chocolate and snack brand created by American YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast online. In January 2022, Donaldson announced the creation of his company which launched its own brand of chocolate bars called "MrBeast Bar". Feastables chocolate products are manufactured in Peru by Machu Picchu Foods SAC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000</span> 2024 YouTube video by MrBeast

"50 YouTubers Fight for $1,000,000" is a YouTube video by American YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, known on the platform as MrBeast. The video, described by Donaldson as his "biggest video ever," featured fifty YouTubers from around the world competing to stay inside a large glass cube for as long as possible while completing challenges. It received over 70 million views in 24 hours, making it his most-viewed video in that time frame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MrBeast Lab</span> Toy line of collectable minifigures

MrBeast Lab is a toy line of collectable minifigures created by Youtuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast. After partnering in January 2024, the minifigures are produced by the Australian toy manufacturer Moose Toys.

References

  1. "LUNCHLY Trademark Application of Lunchly LLC - Serial Number 98554044". trademarks.justia.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Roeloffs, Mary (September 16, 2024). "MrBeast, Logan Paul And KSI Launch Lunchables Competitor 'Lunchly'—Here's What To Know". Forbes . Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  3. Valinsky, Jordan (September 17, 2024). "Logan Paul and MrBeast have a Lunchables competitor that they say is healthy". CNN . Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  4. Weprin, Alex (September 16, 2024). "MrBeast and Logan Paul Team Up to Launch Competitor to Lunchables". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  5. Gill, Emma (September 23, 2024). "Logan Paul, KSI and MrBeast team up with Lunchables rival". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  6. Marshall, Cass (September 24, 2024). "The MrBeast controversy era continues, with lunch packs and a lawsuit". Polygon. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  7. Gach, Ethan (October 21, 2024). "YouTuber Finds Moldy Cheese In Mr Beast's Lunchables Knockoff". Kotaku. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  8. Dodgson, Lindsay (September 21, 2024). "MrBeast launching a new product amid controversy may be a good PR move, marketing experts say. But it's risky". Business Insider. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Limehouse, Jonathan (October 28, 2024). "Lunchly criticisms, mold allegations prompt response from Logan Paul: 'Try harder'". USA Today. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  10. Troughton, James (October 29, 2024). "FBI Tracks Down Londoner Who Called Bomb Threat On Lunchly HQ". The Gamer. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  11. Lunchly. ""The Pizza" - Uncured Pepperoni & Cheese Pizza". Lunchly. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  12. Lunchly. "Fiesta Nachos - Nacho Chips With Queso Blanco & Salsa". Lunchly. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  13. Lunchly. "Turkey Stack 'ems - Turkey, Cheddar Cheese & Crackers". Lunchly. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  14. Marshall, Cass (September 24, 2024). "The MrBeast controversy continues, with lunch packs and a lawsuit". Polygon. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  15. "KSI vs DanTDM: The Twitter drama explained | indy100". www.indy100.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  16. Ulatowski, Rachel (September 17, 2024). "'Lawsuit incoming': MrBeast, KSI, and Logan Paul collaborate on a shady Lunchables ripoff". The Mary Sue. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  17. Taylor, Josh (October 20, 2024). "Rosanna Pansino claims she found "disgusting" mold in Lunchly meal". Dexerto. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  18. Art, Pop Culture & (October 20, 2024). "Rosanna Pansino calls Lunchly disgusting after finding mold in cheese product". The Express Tribune. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  19. Gach, Ethan (October 21, 2024). "YouTuber Finds Moldy Cheese In Mr Beast's Lunchables Knockoff". Kotaku. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  20. Troughton, James (October 23, 2024). "MrBeast Rep Responds To Claims Of Mold Found In Lunchly: "Consider The Source"". The Gamer. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  21. Zhan, Jennifer (October 25, 2024). "MrBeast Accused of Selling Moldy Meals to Kids". Vulture . Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  22. Gilbert, Nyla (October 2, 2024). "Lunchables rival, Lunchly, causes media backlash". The Post . Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  23. Leonard-Bedwell, Niamh (September 25, 2024). "MrBeast Lunchly kits for kids criticised by health campaigners". The Grocer. Retrieved October 27, 2024.