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Why Was The Choco Taco Discontinued? (Explained)

 

Klondike announced on its website that the Choco Taco has unfortunately been discontinued in the one-count and four-count packs.

This news has since caused an uproar and led many disappointed fans around the nation to reminisce on their favorite childhood snack.

Reviews under the announcement are varied but mostly disappointed, stating that a heads-up would have been appreciated and that the ice cream snack brought them great joy during their childhood.

Throughout the month of October 2022, Klondike’s Consumer Services has responded to a few comments underneath its original announcement stating that the “team has heard loud and clear the outpouring of support for Choco Taco and is working hard to figure out what we can do.”

Besides disappointment in the news, confusion may also be a primary component in consumer response as fans inquire as to why the product was discontinued when there are so many who seem to have loved it.

 

Why Was The Choco Taco Discontinued?

man wearing hoodie thinking

 

 

The main reason behind the discontinuation of the Choco Taco is that the company has decided that its primary focus should be on the production of its other products.

Klondike stated that they have had an “unprecedented spike in demand“ across their portfolio of products, which has forced them to make decisions on the best practices they can take as a company to meet demand across the nation going forward.

After several years of this continuous demand, the company decided that the best option was to discontinue the Choco Taco to make room for the production of the other products it believed were better sellers.

An unfortunate part of that decision-making process is determining when it is necessary to discontinue a product to ensure the success of the remainder of its products.

It would seem that the company underestimated how much the Choco Taco was favored by fans, which we can see admitted in a tweet that stated, “I want to address the rumors: I’m being discontinued, it’s not a PR stunt. I knew you loved me, but not THIS much.”

Klondike did not realize the outpouring of negative responses it would receive as a result because, from its point of view, the Choco Taco was a less popular item in its portfolio.

Complex Production Challenges

Confectioner in chef uniform is working on ice cream maker machine

 

In a statement to CNN Business, Klondike stated that the discontinuation “was a result of complex production challenges and not a stunt.”

This statement came as a result of rumors circulating the internet that Klondike was only using the discontinuation as a way to regenerate interest and had no real intention of eliminating the product.

Like companies all across the world have been experiencing, production capabilities have become a challenge which has caused many common products to be missing from store shelves.

 

1. Supply Chain Shortages Impacting Production

The hands of a farmer close-up holding a handful of wheat grains in a wheat field.

 

Many common food ingredients, like wheat, milk, oils, cream, soy, and more which are commonly used in the production of Klondike’s products have been experiencing shortages.

Additionally, paper goods, aluminum, and plastic used as wrappings for various products are in short supply as well.

Beloved Klondike fans remember that much of Klondike’s packaging contains aluminum to cover and protect their bars and sandwiches.

According to M. Vincent & Associates Specialty Metals, the Coronavirus pandemic created a sharp rise in demand for aluminum cans, in particular canned drinks, as people remained at home for extended periods.

Aluminum producers were not prepared for the increase in demand which has led to a shortage.

 

2. Inflation And Increased Prices

INFLATION word on calculator

 

Manufacturing companies have been experiencing an increase in prices for gas, energy, and food ingredients.

The products they produce and sell are therefore sold at a higher rate to companies like Klondike.

To limit the impact of prices and to decrease the potential income lost, Klondike must determine what they are willing to pay to continue producing their products.

Products that are in lower demand may be eliminated, and the money saved can be utilized for the production of more popular products.

This appears to be the main reason behind Klondike discontinuing its Choco Tacos.

One Twitter user bluntly suggested that if the fans had purchased the Choco Taco more frequently, rather than just reminiscing on how it brought them joy in the past, then Klondike wouldn’t have felt it necessary to discontinue.

Some of the comments on the tweet are in agreement, stating that they did not know how popular the snack was until after it was gone and others stated that they had completely forgotten the snack was available in the first place.

Other comments on the tweet suggested that the users were lifelong lovers of the snack and were sad to see it go, but admitted that they had not sought out a Choco Taco since childhood.

This may provide support to the original tweet that customers didn’t purchase the Choco Taco enough for it to be a worthwhile product for Klondike to continue producing.

 

3. Transportation Shortages

freight truck on the road. transportation.

 

In addition to the increased prices and limited availability of ingredients, transportation is another common issue that impacts Klondike’s distribution capabilities.

Truckers are in short supply around the country and businesses are impacted when they cannot receive their goods in store.

According to Chris Spear, the President and CEO of the American Trucking Association, the trucking industry is short 80,000 drivers.

In an interview with CNN Business, Spears stated that many drivers are either retiring or dropping out of the trucking business.

Additionally, the increased demand for the already limited supply of drivers has led to increased burnout and a reluctance to take on more work.

This has led to shipping ports being backlogged with ships that are full of products but do not have workers to unload and transport them to their final destinations.

Despite many shipping ports attempting to work around the clock, there are not enough workers to move cargo on and off the ships.

According to Spears, truck drivers move 71% of goods throughout the United States, yet these delivery trucks only represent about 4% of the vehicles on the roads.

 

Suggestions For Klondike To Sell The Rights To The Choco Taco

cubes with the word "SELL" and hand turning a cube with answer "yes" and "no" on wooden background

 

As a result of the production challenges being experienced, some may think that Klondike has considered selling the rights to the tasty snack to another company as a way for production to continue.

Alexis Ohanian, the founder of the popular website Reddit, tweeted to Unilever that they would like to buy the rights to the Choco Taco as a way “keep it from melting away from future generations’ childhoods.”

Ohanian also posted a variety of caricatures of the future Choco Taco, including a ChocoTacoTruck that would only sell Choco Tacos.

Actor Patrick Schwarzenegger, an American actor and son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, commented on Ohanian’s tweet that he would go in on this deal.

Even Chris Murphy, a Senator, has tweeted his opinion and suggested he would introduce legislation that would mandate the manufacturing of the Choco Tacos.

One Twitter user’s comment on Murphy’s tweet includes a meme of President Joe Biden stating, “I’m an ice cream guy,” and suggests the legislation may have a chance at invoking the Defense Production Act.

While these tweets may seem humorous in nature, especially Senator Murphy’s and the meme of the President, there are likely many fans who would love to see some sort of deal come to fruition that would ensure the snack continues to be produced in some way, shape, or form.

There is no evidence to be found that shows Klondike is considering these deals or that it may have been a contributing factor to their decision to discontinue these products.

 

Will The Choco Tacos Ever Return?

Man looking up and thinking hard

 

Likely because of the humorous tweets from celebrities and famous people surrounding the discontinuation, it is not surprising that fans may be questioning the legitimacy of the situation.

Although Klondike’s website does now officially state that the product has been discontinued, which can put any of those questions to rest.

However, the suggestion that Klondike sell the rights to a competitor is not a bad one if it means the snack can continue.

Since the internet has exploded with the news and fans have taken to their social media platforms in protest, Klondike has apparently reconsidered its decision.

Klondike has tweeted since its original announcement that it is now working hard to bring the Choco Taco back to ice cream trucks, one of the largest sellers, in the future.

Klondike has not specifically referenced the return of the snack to any grocery or convenience stores.

This change of heart came barely two weeks after the company officially announced the fan favorite was being discontinued.

No timeline has been released, likely because the company is unable to commit to one with the ongoing production problems that prompted them to discontinue in the first place.

 

Where Can I Find Any Remaining Choco Tacos?

Woman shopping at the supermarket

 

The Choco Taco is already an elusive product that is difficult to find.

Klondike has already removed the product from its “Find Klondike Near Me“ page, likely because they are no longer producing and distributing to retailers.

Any remaining Choco Tacos may be found in miscellaneous grocery and convenience stores if customers are willing to go on the hunt.

Klondike has also created its own digital scavenger hunt for fans, which was started in September 2022.

The digital hunt was a series of four that was completed through Klondike’s Instagram and 100 winners had the chance to receive one of the final Choco Tacos that Klondike still had in stock.

The scavenger hunt came as an idea from Twitter users after Klondike asked its fans what it should do with the remaining stock of Choco Tacos, all 912 of them.

The brand wanted its consumers to get an opportunity to have their say in the final decisions of the product.

 

Products Similar To The Choco Taco

Homemade tacos with ice cream, nuts and chocolate, delicious strawberries

 

No food product can ever truly replace the Choco Taco.

However, after the announcement that the snack was to be discontinued, many fans took to the internet to find alternatives to give them a similar feel-good experience from their childhoods.

Additionally, many businesses nationwide have taken to creating their own versions of the delicious treat to fulfill the void many fans are now experiencing.

If you’re looking to purchase a Choco Taco dupe, try out these alternatives:

  • Salt & Straw’s Chocolate Tacolates: Currently sold out, but if you’re on the West Coast or in Florida, keep an eye out for their return. They ship right to your door
  • Sad Girl Creamery: The Los Angeles creamery has experimented with its own Latinx-inspired versions, including a Strawberry Shortcake Taco and the Che taco.
  • Cream Nation: This San Francisco-based business has created its own version, which it argues is even better than the original Choco Taco.
  • Honeycomb Creamery: The Boston, MA creamery celebrates Taco Tuesday with taco-shaped ice cream treats. Previously, they have sold a strawberry shortcake, a s’mores version, and a caramel brownie taco.

If you’re good in the kitchen and want to try your hand at creating a yummy alternative to the Choco Taco, here are some recipes:

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