(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Snack-chip maker Pringles is teaming up with a caviar company in San Francisco to sell a – not cheap – crossover experience.
Who asked for this? To hear the makers of Pringles tell it, the promotion was spawned by a TikTok trend. Phil Lempert, founder of SuperMarketGuru in Los Angeles, questions that origin story, saying social-media influencers may have gotten a little coaching and compensation from Pringles.
“They’ve got the foundation where they can point to TikTok, and they could say, ‘Oh, look, it’s a trend, and we’re just capitalizing on that trend,’” he told the Noon Business Hour Tuesday.
However the fish-egg-and-potato-chip mashup got started, non-influencers can see what all the fuss is about. The Pringles and Caviar Co. snack kits are available for purchase online. Here’s a basic rundown of the options and prices (note: you may want to sit down as you read further):
--"Smoky Shores” ($49): Sour Cream & Onion Pringles paired with Smoked Trout Roe and crème fraiche. Comes with a “bow tie-inspired” serving tray.
--"Salt of The Sea” ($110): Pringles Original with Classic White Sturgeon Caviar and crème fraiche, plus the serving tray.
--"Crisps and Caviar Flight” ($140): Pringles Original and Sour Cream & Onion and BBQ chips paired with Classic White Sturgeon Caviar and Smoked Trout Roe.
All of the packages come with a gold collectable caviar keychain, according to a news release.
Lempert gives The Caviar Co. high marks for its sustainable practices but overall was cool to the notion that a gourmet experience awaits snackers.
“I’m not sure that Pringles is the perfect addition to caviar,” he said. “I know that there’s a lot of fancy restaurants out there that do serve caviar with home-made, restaurant-quality potato chips, but that’s not Pringles. I’m sorry.”