Flipz, the delicious pretzel covered in chocolate and other sweet coatings, have been a popular snack for decades. However, some longtime fans of Flipz have noticed that it has become harder to find the pretzels in stores lately. This has led some to wonder – have Flipz been discontinued?
What are Flipz?
Flipz are a brand of pretzels that are covered in chocolate, yogurt, or other sweet coatings. They come in a variety of flavors like milk chocolate, white fudge, dark chocolate, yogurt, and more. The pretzels themselves are crunchy and the coating provides a delicious sweet contrast.
Flipz were first introduced in the late 1990s by the DeMet’s Candy Company. The unique covered pretzels quickly became popular as a portable, satisfying snack. They were a hit for both kids and adults looking for a sweet treat.
Over the years, the Flipz brand has expanded to include seasonal flavors for holidays as well as premium versions like Flipz Dark Chocolate Sea Salt. They’ve become a staple snack food found in grocery store aisles across the United States.
Difficulty finding Flipz in stores
In the past few years, many Flipz fans have noticed that the pretzels seem to be disappearing from store shelves. Where Flipz used to be stocked in abundant supplies, stores now seem to have a very limited stock or none at all.
There are numerous reports on social media of people not being able to find Flipz at their usual grocery stores over the past couple of years. Loyal fans in all different parts of the country have had trouble locating the pretzels when doing their regular shopping.
Some stores that used to reliably carry Flipz no longer stock them at all. And even stores that still have them often run out of stock quickly and go weeks without restocking. There are increasing complaints of empty Flipz displays and signs that the pretzels are “out of stock.”
Possible reasons for decreased Flipz availability
There are a few possible reasons why it may have become harder to find Flipz in stores lately:
- Supply chain issues – Like many products, Flipz may have been impacted by global supply chain disruptions over the past couple of years. This could have made it more difficult to get consistent stock of Flipz out to all retailers.
- Manufacturing problems – The company that makes Flipz, DeMet’s Candy, could have had an issue with manufacturing enough supply to meet demand. Whether due to labor shortages, recipe changes, or other factors, they may simply be making fewer Flipz.
- Distribution problems – Even if DeMet’s is still manufacturing plenty of Flipz, disruptions in transportation and distribution networks may be making it harder for the product to reach all intended retail locations.
- Discontinued by retailers – Individual grocery store chains may have decided to discontinue stocking Flipz on their shelves, leading to decreased availability in some areas.
While disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic likely exacerbated these potential issues, experts say supply and distribution problems predated 2020. This indicates there are likely broader underlying issues affecting Flipz availability vs a temporary pandemic shortage.
Has Flipz been discontinued entirely?
While it’s clear Flipz have become harder to find in many stores, is there any indication the product has been discontinued altogether?
There have been no announcements from DeMet’s Candy Company that they have ceased production or discontinued the Flipz line. The Flipz website is still active, and their social media pages were still promoting the product as of October 2022.
Grocery store chains that have confirmed no longer carrying Flipz have called it a “de-listing” implying they’ve stopped ordering it rather than the product being discontinued altogether. There is no evidence retailers are unable to order Flipz from their suppliers if they wish.
DeMet’s Candy has not responded to media requests asking whether Flipz has been discontinued. But in late 2022, a customer service representative from the company insisted they are still producing and distributing Flipz to retailers who wish to carry them.
There have also been sporadic but confirmed sightings of Flipz continuing to appear on store shelves as recently as fall 2022. Though limited, this indicates some supply of the pretzels does continue to make its way to consumers.
Outlook for the future
Given there has been no formal notice of Flipz being discontinued for good, many fans are holding out hope supply chain issues are only temporarily restricting availability. As distribution networks recover in the post-pandemic world, Flipz could theoretically return to wide circulation.
However, experts caution that major disruptions like those seen over the past two years can sometimes act as a “tipping point” for brands already struggling. Manufacturers often use shortages as an opportunity to reevaluate product lines.
For Flipz, ongoing viability may depend on factors such as:
- How much of a priority the brand is for DeMet’s Candy Company going forward
- The cost effectiveness of resolving production and distribution issues
- Consumer demand and purchases once the product is back in circulation
Grocery retailers also now need to decide whether to resume stocking Flipz on their limited shelf space after finding alternative snack options to fill the gap over the past couple years.
In the short term, Flipz shortages are likely to persist to some degree. Consumers may need to check more stores to track down their favorite pretzels, and be flexible if their preferred flavor isn’t available. But there remains cautious optimism that DeMet’s will work to bring Flipz fully back to store shelves in regions with sufficient customer interest.
Searching for Flipz
While Flipz shortages can be frustrating for loyal fans, all hope is not lost. Here are some tips for tracking down those coveted pretzels:
- Check less mainstream retailers like dollar stores, drugstores, convenience stores, and discount outlets. Their supply chains may be less disrupted.
- Ask at customer service if they have any Flipz stock in the backroom or storage area even if shelves are empty.
- Call the grocery stores in your area and ask if they carry Flipz or have any in stock currently.
- Check online – some retailers allow you to check inventory and purchase online for pickup or delivery.
- Search local listings on websites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or Nextdoor to see if anyone nearby has Flipz for sale.
- Don’t give up – you may get lucky with an unexpected shipment!
Flipz Alternatives
If you simply can’t find Flipz, there are some alternative pretzel snacks that can help satisfy your sweet and salty craving:
| Brand | Description |
|---|---|
| Utz Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels | Similar in shape and taste profile to Flipz |
| Snack Factory Chocolate Covered Pretzel Crisps | Pretzel crisp shape instead of twists |
| Mr. Pretzel Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels | Organic option |
| World’s Finest Chocolate Pretzels | Classic chocolate covered rod shape |
Store brand and generic chocolate covered pretzels are another way to get a similar chocolatey crunch. You can even make homemade chocolate pretzels by dipping pretzels in melted chocolate chips and toppings.
The Bottom Line
Flipz shortages over the past couple years have made the popular pretzel snacks harder to find in many stores. While concerning for fans, there is no confirmation that Flipz have been permanently discontinued.
It remains unclear whether supply chain disruptions or other factors have led to decreased production and distribution. Time will tell whether Flipz availability returns to normal levels in coming months and years.
In the meantime, persistent snackers can try to hunt down remaining stock at less mainstream retailers. And alternative chocolate covered pretzels are readily available to temporarily satisfy the craving for that sweet and salty crunch.