Hyde Park Group Food Innovation

Hyde Park Group is Now a Mattson Company! We’re thrilled to announce the acquisition of Hyde Park Group Food Innovation by Silicon Valley-based Mattson, the country's leading food and beverage product development firm, serving the CPG, Restaurant Chain and B2B Food Service industries. The integration of our deep expertise, unique methods and facilities, will allow us to deliver comprehensive innovation services in both locations. From consumer insight and market research to chef-led, trends-driven ideation and full-service R&D and commercialization, we are uniquely positioned to take clients the entire distance -- from white space through development and market launch. Our seasoned team in Chicago, led by Mary Haderlein, founder and Principal of Hyde Park Group, will continue to run the Chicago operation. We’ll join forces with Mattson's extraordinary San Francisco Bay area-based team of 70+ strategists, analysts, food scientists and scale up specialists, to provide clients with industry-leading holistic innovation services to help create the future of food. For more information, please contact Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or at mary@mattsonco.com

HPGSpotted: Familiar with a Twist Reigns Supreme. Congratulations to our friends at Fresh Express for yet another winning entry into their juggernaut Twisted Caesar line of salad kits. Creamy Truffle Caesar is a great extension of their successful franchise, offering consumers the comfort of the familiar with an exciting “Twisted” difference. To learn more about how we can help you find the right twist for your new product pipeline, please reach out to to Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or info@hydeparkgroup.com #hydeparkgroup #foodinnovation #twistedcaesar

HPGSpotted: The Power of Two Sisters. Women-owned companies are just one of the many groups deserving attention these days. And the women at Painterland Sisters just did us all proud by winning the Grand Prize at the 2024 Expo West Pitch Slam, besting 15 other finalists with a regenerative, lactose-free line of yogurts that helped save their family’s dairy farm and connect consumers with farmers. Congrats to this inspirational duo. Combining meaningful benefits and powerful storytelling into a compelling new product offering is how many brands are forging success. To explore this approach for your new product pipeline, please reach out to Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or info@hydeparkgroup.com #hydeparkgroup #foodinnovation #painterlandsisters

HPGSpotted: Play with your Cheese. Interactive food is not a new thing in the refrigerated category. Surely Lunchables has been riding that wave for some time. But Sargento has put a new spin on experiential eating with the Fun! version of their powerhouse Balanced Breaks line. With a simple mix of kid faves, this right-sized snack seems right for the times. If you’re interested in developing innovation with interactive and experiential flavors and forms, please reach out to Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or info@hydeparkgroup.com #foodinnovation #hydeparkgroup #interactivefood #experientialfood

HPGSpotted: Fake or Real? Innovation has become a strong tool for consumer engagement, playing games with their sense of daring and fun. There’s been much ballyhoo about ai generated “fake flavors” and Lay’s has had a field day keeping consumers guessing with mock versions. Just recently they launched an IHOP Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity version on social media that had people scratching their heads – real or fake? Yep, they’re real and are coming to a Walmart near you soon. How can you use innovation as a vehicle for consumer engagement and brand building? To learn more about how we do it at Hyde Park Group, please reach out to Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or info@hydeparkgroup.com #realorfake #hydeparkgroup #foodinnovation #lays #IHOP

HPGSpotted: Swapping Duncan Hines for Dolly. Are Celebrity Collabs more powerful than brands? In these days of social media and voracious fandom, celebrity collabs may just have the edge. Two years ago, Conagra announced a deal with Dolly Parton to collaborate on Duncan Hines, a classic American brand with a long history in the baking category. But now, Conagra has pivoted to create a Dolly Parton-only line, starting with Buttermilk Pancake Mix with more items planned for later this year. Collabs have become one of the hottest trends in new product innovation. To learn more about how we can help find the right idea for your brand and bring it to life, please reach out to to Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or info@hydeparkgroup.com #hydeparkgroup #foodinnovation #brandcollabs

HPGSpotted: Two Icons Unite. A 2024 launch into the highly competitive spirit-infused beverage category took some thinking outside the box. This new launch from Absolut marries two iconic brands - the signature vodka and Ocean Spray cranberry - to create a powerhouse entry in the market. Brand Collabs have become one of the hottest trends in new product innovation. To learn more about how we can help find the right idea for your brand and bring it to life, please reach out to to Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or info@hydeparkgroup.com #hydeparkgroup #foodinnovation #brandcollabs

HPG Spotted: Small Restaurants Make Big Time Waves. Congratulations to the Zaragoza family and our friend Chef Jonathan Zaragoza for being featured on ABC-TV as the premier stars of the birria world. Birria Zaragoza - an award winning, Southside Chicago eatery - is just one example of how small, independent restaurants are capturing national attention. Food & Wine, Netflix, Thrillist, and the esteemed Michelin Bib Gourmand guide have all featured this little family-owned restaurant for making some of the best mole-marinated goat in the world. If you are interested in learning more about how to leverage the independent restaurant movement for your innovation programs, please reach out to Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or info@hydeparkgroup.com 📸 by Will Blunt

HPGSpotted: Marry Me Everything. Why is Marry Me Chicken still one of the fastest growing recipe on social media? According to Tastewise, social mentions of Marry Me Chicken have increased 315% vs. last year, on top of being the third most Googled recipe of 2022. This simple and delicious dish has gained new traction as an addition to salads, soups, and sandwiches. It’s just a matter of time before it shows up in tacos and on pizza. If your interested in developing innovation with trend-forward, flavors and forms, please reach out to Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or info@hydeparkgroup.com #foodinnovation #hydeparkgroup #endtoendinnovationservices

HPGSpotted: Eatertainment Beats Inflation. Seems consumers want something extra for their restaurant dollar these days, and that extra is fun! The “Eatertainment” restaurant category is experiencing a whopping 20% growth year to date vs. 5% for the industry overall. Establishments that offer food plus mini golf, bowling, arcade games and more are combining dining with entertainment to attract a larger share of food dollars. Today’s consumers are willing to pay more for foods tied to experiences at both grocery and restaurants. If you’re interested in learning more on how to leverage this trend, please reach out to Mary Haderlein on LinkedIn or info@hydeparkgroup.com #eatertainment #hydeparkgroup #foodinnovation #experientialfoodtrend Photo courtesy of Puttshack.com Data from Placer.ai.