Van Leeuwen Announces The Return Of KRAFT Mac & Cheese Ice Cream for Limited Time Only
KRAFT® Mac & Cheese leads Van Leeuwen’s lineup of seven brand new flavors for winter,
available beginning October 23
(Brooklyn N.Y. – October 17, 2023)- Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, the NYC born and nationally beloved brand known for its made-from-scratch dairy and vegan ice cream, has announced the return of fan-favorite KRAFT® Mac & Cheese Ice Cream. For the first time in almost a year and half, the creamy and delicious KRAFT Mac & Cheese ice cream will return to stores for a limited time only, starting October 23. The deal was brokered by the Kraft Heinz licensing agency Brand Central, LLC. The flavor leads Van Leeuwen’s lineup of seven brand new, limited-time flavors, to be sold exclusively at Walmart locations nationwide.
Van Leeuwen and KRAFT originally brought together two of life’s most iconic comfort foods – ice cream and mac & cheese – in July of 2021 to celebrate National Macaroni & Cheese Day. The ice cream was met with such enthusiasm that the announcement went viral and the initial 6,000 pints sold out in an hour. One month later, Van Leeuwen brought the ice cream back as an online-only offering, and then in March 2022 launched it in Walmart stores nationwide as a limited run, which proved Van Leeuwen’s most successful limited-edition product with Walmart ever. Now, for the first time in over a year, it will make a comeback just in time for the holiday season.
“The wait is over – Mac (& Cheese) is back!” said Ben Van Leeuwen, co-Founder, and CEO of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. “Due to popular demand, we are bringing this iconic ice cream back to Walmart freezers nationwide after nearly a year and a half hiatus. We are excited for its return, and to be launching six other brand new flavors, including Dill Pickle and Peppermint Stick.”
All Winter flavors will be available at 3,200 Walmart stores nationwide to purchase for $4.98. This limited release is available through December 26 or until sold out.
“When we launched KRAFT Mac & Cheese ice cream back in 2021, we never could have dreamed it would earn such a beloved place in both mac & cheese and ice cream lovers’ hearts,” says Victoria Lee, Brand Communications Manager, KRAFT Mac & Cheese at the Kraft Heinz Company. “We know a cheesy and delicious bowl of KRAFT Mac & Cheese is comforting at every age and life stage, and the KRAFT Mac & Cheese Ice Cream brings that same nostalgic magic to the dessert aisle. In collaboration with our partners at Van Leeuwen, we’re thrilled to give fans a little something extra to cheer about this holiday season.”
WINTER FLAVORS
Kraft Mac & Cheese
If this reminds you of the ice cream you grew up with, you might be out of your mind. If this reminds you of the comforting bowl of Kraft Mac & Cheese you grew up with, you're getting warmer. Because did we make this ice cream with that buttery, sweet iconic cheese? You bet.
Dill Pickle
Because there's no stopping us. This tangy yet sweet pickle ice cream is more pickle-ized with a dill pickle swirl. Don't knock it until you try it, because you know you will.
Peppermint Stick
To our sweet cream ice cream we add a dash of pure peppermint extract along with crushed peppermint candy pieces. It makes every day Christmas. Except Christmas. Which is Christmas.
Caramel Sticky Bun
It starts with cinnamon brown sugar ice cream. We add swirls of caramel. Some cinnamon bun pieces. Think of it like a warm sticky bun with caramel. Only it’s frozen. And it's ice cream.
Peanut Butter Fudge Pretzel
Peanut butter ice cream with swirls of fudge and pieces of praline pretzels. More commonly known as the ultimate trifecta of happiness.
Kettle Corn
We're basically a circus so it only makes sense that we'd create a sweet corn and butter ice cream with pieces of honeycomb for that subtly sweet yet salty taste that'll take you back to the big top.
Holiday Cookies & Cream
It's that time of year. Where everything is red and green, including what’s in this pint. Festive red ice cream with dark chocolate cookies and a rich cream filling topped off with swirls of jolly green frosting.
For more information about Van Leeuwen’s exclusive Walmart flavors and to keep up on all things Van Leeuwen, follow the brand on Instagram @vanleeuwenicecream or visit www.vanleeuwenicecream.com.
About Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Van Leeuwen began as a yellow scoop truck on the streets of NYC in 2008 by Ben Van Leeuwen, Pete Van Leeuwen and Laura O’Neill, who were on a mission to make good ice cream from good ingredients that makes you feel good. Their French-style ice cream (made with more than double the amount of egg yolks as standard ice cream) quickly gained a loyal following. Van Leeuwen has since expanded and has over 50 scoop shops in New York, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, DC, Colorado, Connecticut and Texas. Van Leeuwen also recently opened their first international scoop shop in Singapore. Pints, ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches are available in grocery stores across the country and to order for nationwide shipping from their website. To keep up with everything Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, follow the brand on Instagram @vanleeuwenicecream or visit www.vanleeuwenicecream.com.
About the Kraft Heinz Company
We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let’s Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2022 net sales of approximately $26 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of six consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we’re dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn.
About Brand Central LLC
Brand Central LLC is a premiere global brand consultancy that provides comprehensive business solutions in the areas of brand extensions, trend intelligence, and manufacturer representation to some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Mars Wrigley, Black Paper Party and Mister Rogers Neighborhood – just to name a few. Their mission is to help clients unlock the full potential of their brands to enhance value while generating substantial revenue. For additional information please contact Ross Misher at 310.268.1231 or visit www.brandcentralgroup.com.