BranchOut Food Inc. (NASDAQ: BOF) has announced a partnership with Zesty Snackz and its founders, digital creators Brenten Szekely and Paul Cuffaro, to launch a new line of single-ingredient Fruit Chips under the Zest Snackz label. The collaboration combines BranchOut's proprietary GentleDry™ dehydration technology with Zesty Snackz's growing snack platform and the expansive digital reach of two of YouTube's most recognizable lifestyle creators, who collectively reach millions of viewers across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and other social platforms.
The new Zesty Snacks Fruit Chips line, powered by BranchOut's GentleDry™ technology, will launch with products made from 100% real fruit, including mango, pineapple, strawberry, and banana, with plans for additional varieties. These single-ingredient chips offer vibrant flavor, texture, and nutrients while providing shelf-stable convenience, free from added sugar, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. BranchOut plans to ship the first full container of product to Zesty Snacks in April, with follow-on container-sized orders expected thereafter.
Eric Healy, CEO of BranchOut Food Inc., emphasized the significance of the partnership: "Our partnership with Zesty Snackz and creators like Brenten and Paul represents a powerful intersection of food innovation and modern consumer engagement. These creators have built trusted brands with highly engaged audiences. By combining that reach with our advanced drying technology and supply chain scale, we are uniquely positioned to deliver premium, single-ingredient snacks to a rapidly expanding market."
Brenten Szekely and Paul Cuffaro have built multi-million-subscriber platforms by consistently creating high-engagement video content and fostering strong community relationships. Their ability to drive purchasing behavior through authentic storytelling and direct audience connection extends their brands into successful merchandise and consumer product lines. This direct-to-consumer channel represents a significant and currently untapped opportunity for BranchOut, as it is completely distinct from the company's existing retail and industrial channels.
Szekely commented on the collaboration: "This partnership allows us to bring something to our audience that we genuinely believe in. Our community wants real, simple, high-quality products, and this collaboration delivers exactly that. After visiting the BranchOut facility in Peru and seeing the GentleDry™ process firsthand, we were incredibly impressed with the technology, the scale of the operation, and the team behind it. We're excited to share that experience with our audience and will be releasing content from the visit in the coming months."
For more information about Zesty Snackz, visit Zesty Snackz. For more about BranchOut Food, visit BranchOut Food.
This partnership highlights the growing trend of influencer-driven brand collaborations in the food industry, where digital creators leverage their engaged audiences to launch consumer products. By combining BranchOut's proprietary GentleDry™ technology, which preserves up to 95% of original nutrition, with the authentic reach of Szekely and Cuffaro, the companies aim to capture a share of the premium snack market. The move also diversifies BranchOut's distribution channels, adding a direct-to-consumer avenue alongside its existing retail and industrial partnerships.
