Just Like Heaven

Alot of talk this week about cereal restaurants!

 

Zap2it reports that Cereality is featuring a special cereal blend called "Tastes Like Heaven" to tie-in with the new movie "Just Like Heaven" with Reese Witherspoon. The special combination features Reese's Puffs, Special K, Reese's Pieces, fresh sliced strawberries and chocolate syrup.

 

Yum!

---

Technorati Tags : cereal, Cereality, Just+Like+Heaven, movies, breakfastbowl

 

Cereal restaurant drama

Earlier this week I reported on The Cereal Bowl, the latest entry into the cereal restaurant market. But, others are copying the idea, originally started by Cereality, including A Cereal Joint in Gainesville, Florida.

 

Fearing the competition, Cereality has threated A Cereal Joint with legal action if they infringe on Cereality's patented business-methods and trademarks. Even The Cereal Bowl has entered the fray, stating the word cereal and the bowl design cannot be used by A Cereal Joint.  (Read more about this in AlligatorOnline).

 

A couple of observations:

 

First, these rumblings are more evidence of how serious investors are taking this. The prospects for cereal restaurant growth is viewed with great enthusiasm.

 

Second, Cereality and The Cereal Bowl should chill out. Sure, they have their own interests to protect, but there is room for lots of competition. Ultimately, the successful companies will not be the ones who control the trademarks, but the ones who provide the best breakfast experience.

---

Technorati Tags : cereal, lawsuits, patents, Cereality, The+Cereal+Bowl, A+Cereal+Joint, breakfastbowl

 

Cereal and health claims

Cereal manufacturers have been trying hard to stand out in a highly competitive marketplace. Lately, cereal health claims have been made to jolt consumers out of their complacency (some of which have been reported here). But, sometimes in their marketing exuberance they step over the line, as is the case with Kelloggs in the U.K. Life Style Extra reports that the Advertising Standards Authority is investigating claims made that children who ate Corn Flakes are 9 per cent more alert. Breakfast is important, but companies must be careful not to overstate the benefits, and even challenge the intelligence (or prey on the gullibility) of consumers.

 

---

Technorati Tags : cereal, advertising, nutrition, Kellogg, Corn+Flakes, breakfastbowl

 

Another cereal restaurant

I have previously reported on Cereality, an innovative "cereal bar" restaurant concept that has been getting considerable media attention. But, the concept is still so new that it was only a matter of time before others introduced their own version. The Cereal Bowl is one such copycat that will be launching its first cafe this fall next to the University of Miami.

 

Their press release says:

 

The Cereal Bowl is a new breed of café fusing an old time favorite, with a new and exciting twist. Guests will be able to make their own cereal creations or pick from one of many unique combinations created by The Cereal Bowl Team. With over 35 cereals both hot and cold as well as 50 toppings the possibilities are endless. The experience does not end with the bowl. Cereal bars, oatmeal smoothies known as Oaties™, and cakes will take cereal to a whole new level. WIFI Internet, couches, televisions, newspapers, and periodicals will add to the ambiance of The Cereal Bowl™.

 

It is interesting that they are launching at a University, just like Cereality. Here's their reasoning:

 

Founded in 2004 by Kenneth Rader, Joshua Rader, and Michael Glassman, the inspiration for The Cereal Bowl™ was a product of their college days when they noticed that the average diet of a college student often times consisted of a bowl of cereal as a quick and appetizing alternative. 

 

I just wish someone would start a cereal restaurant near me! 

 

---

Technorati Tags : cereal, Cereal+Bowl, Cereality, restaurants, breakfastbowl

 

Growing older

A great quote from one of those annoying e-mail jokes that people pass around:

 

"Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fibre, not the toy."

 

---

Technorati Tags : cereal, aging, breakfastbowl

 

Bloggers and cereal

Here are some noteworthy blog references to cereal from the past week:

 

Caroline31 has come up with a new way to eat Frosted Flakes. Simply dip the flakes in peanut butter!

 

Crosswalks to Nowhere provides a first-hand review of Cereality, cereal bar restaurant (of which I previously reported).

 

Cereal has long been used in a variety of recipes. Here's a unique combination from  PhnTmpHx84: beef with brocolli and frosted flakes cereal. They're G-R-R-R-EAT????

 

Jessica Waldgrave Comments discusses the absurdity of "Enlarged to show texture" photos on cereal boxes.

 

Abrasivist Now provides a humorous look at being declared a loser by a cereal box.

 

With too much time on his hands, I Was Just Thinking ... ponders taking a shower while eating cereal. Talk about soggy cereal!

 

 

---

Technorati Tags : cereal, blogs, breakfastbowl

 

Not only athletes

The Springfield, MO News-Leader reports that Kellogg's Corn Flakes will feature Drury University's SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) team on upcoming boxes. The national champion team has actually appeared on Kellogg's boxes in the past.

 

The reality is that only 250,000 boxes will be issued, which is quite small, but if distributed strategically could be a smart move by Kellogg. Otherwise, the vast majority of us who have never heard of SIFE (or care about it) will pass by the box.

 

Athletes have typically received the most cereal box exposure, so it is good to see other individuals and groups recognized. My concern, however, is that this trend carried too far and indiscriminately will backfire on cereal companies because few will be interested in these lesser-knowns. It's a reality of marketing.

 

LINK

 

---

Technorati Tags : cereal, SIFE, Corn+Flakes, Kellogg, breakfastbowl

Which breakfast of champions?

From USAOlympicTeam.com:

 

" Kellogg Company announced today that it will continue its partnership with the United States Olympic Committee through 2008. The agreement designates Kellogg as an Official Sponsor of the 2006 and 2008 U.S. Olympic Teams and the 2007 U.S. Pan American Team."

 

---

Technorati Tags : cereal, Kellogg, Olympics, breakfastbowl

Peanut Butter Cooke Crisp

Another example of cereal innovations is General Mills' new Peanut Butter Cookie Crisp, now appearing on U.S. grocery store shelves. This joins a growing list of cereals patterned after dessert- and candy- type foods, tapping into our sweet tooth. Here's a review from The Impulsive Buy blog.

---

Technorati Tags : Cereal, Cookie+Crisp, General+Mills, breakfastbowl

Yogurt Burst Cheerios

Cereal companies are always looking to update their products to attract new customers, and retain existing ones. Apparently, from this cereal box auction on ebay, General Mills is developing and testing a Vanilla flavored Yogurt Burst Cheerios, a "sweetened whole grain oat cereal with a naturally flavored yogurt coating". Sounds interesting!

 

UPDATED September 17, 2005 - I've spotted Yogurst Burst Cheerios in stores. Also in Strawberry flavor.

 

---

Technorati Tags : cereal, Cheerios, breakfastbowl