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THE HOT POCKETS® BRAND FAMILY OF SANDWICHES: America's Favorite Frozen Stuffed Sandwiches!
For more than 25 years, the makers of HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS® brand sandwiches have anticipated America's eating trends and answered consumer needs with innovation and quality. Since these frozen, stuffed hand-held sandwiches first appeared on supermarket shelves in the early 1980s, consumers have enjoyed convenient, delicious and affordable products that simplify their busy, on-the-go lifestyles. Today, the Nestlé Prepared Foods Company - Denver offers more than 50 varieties of stuffed sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, dinner and anytime snacking.
The Early Years
The journey began in 1977 when Chef America, Inc., introduced HOT POCKETS® brand sandwiches - specially formulated, patented dough filled with favorite meats and cheeses - to foodservice outlets and convenience stores. With the advent of microwave ovens for home cooking, the products' unique microwave-crisping sleeve provided a great-tasting sandwich with a crispy crust - ready in just two minutes. HOT POCKETS® brand sandwiches were officially launched in 1983 in retail stores. Consumers welcomed the convenience and quality of the hot sandwiches, making them America's favorite brand of frozen sandwiches.
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| The Hand-held Foods Group offices
are located in Englewood, Colorado near Denver; manufacturing facilities
are in Chatsworth, CA and Mt. Sterling, KY. |
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Expanding the Line-up
A trend toward healthy lifestyles emerged during the 1980s, which led to the introduction of LEAN POCKETS® brand sandwiches. Made with delicious meats and cheeses, they contain just seven grams of fat. Since their launch in 1987, LEAN POCKETS® brand sandwiches have become the second best-selling frozen sandwich brand in the U.S.
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More Innovation
 Innovation has been the key ingredient to continued success. The following are a few of the HOT POCKETS® brand family of products that have revolutionized the frozen hand-held food and snacks category in the past decade.
| 2001/02 |
HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS® brand sandwiches for Breakfast - delicious scrambled eggs and cheese with either bacon, ham or sausage |
| 2003 |
HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS® brand Mexican-style varieties - Mexican flavors wrapped in a crispy, corn tortilla flavored crust |
| 2003 |
HOT POCKETS® brand POT PIE EXPRESS® brand sandwiches - the oven-baked taste of a traditional pot pie, but quick, easy and hand-held! |
| 2004 |
LEAN POCKETS® brand Made with Whole Grain - a tender crust rich in fiber and topped with whole grains, and just 7 grams of fat for eating well on the go |
| 2005 |
HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS® brand SUBS - premium sub sandwiches featuring soft baked bread and favorite sub shop flavors |
| 2005 |
HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS® brand varieties become even better-tasting with "crispier, cheesier crust" |
| 2006 |
HOT POCKETS® brand BISCUITS - hearty-sized Breakfast varieties featuring a tender biscuit crust |
| 2006 |
HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS® brand varieties feature delicious deli-style thin sliced meats |
| 2007 |
HOT POCKETS® brand CALZONE varieties - generous amounts of meats, cheeses and signature sauces stuffed in an Italian-style herbed cheese crust. |
A Family of Leading Brands
In 2002, Nestlé acquired Chef America, Inc., which pioneered the frozen sandwich category and has led it ever since. The business, known as Nestlé Prepared Foods Company - Denver, is part of the Nestlé Prepared Foods Company headquartered in Solon, Ohio. Nestlé Prepared Foods Company also includes the STOUFFER'S® and LEAN CUISINE® frozen food brands— the nation's leading brands in frozen meals— as well as BUITONI® refrigerated pastas, sauces and appetizers. Nestlé USA, with 2006 sales of $8.5 billion (includes Nestlé Nutrition), is part of Switzerland-based Nestlé S.A.— the world's largest food company with sales of $79 billion. For product news and information, please visit www.Nestleusa.com or www.NestleNewsroom.com..
For more information about HOT POCKETS® brand sandwiches, visit HotPockets.com.
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