At a Glance
- Heinz Dipper is a french fry box with a built-in ketchup compartment designed for on-the-go dipping
- Currently available at select locations in six U.S. markets and ten countries worldwide
- Limited release will test potential for expanded distribution
- Why it matters: The innovation targets the growing trend of eating away from home
Heinz has introduced a new packaging innovation that lets french fry fans dip ketchup without the mess. The condiments company calls the product the Heinz Dipper, a fry box engineered with a built-in ketchup compartment.
How the Heinz Dipper Works
The Heinz Dipper is a first-of-its-kind fry box with a built-in ketchup compartment. It allows users to dip fries directly into ketchup without needing separate packets or containers.
According to the company, the product solves common struggles ketchup users face. These include balancing sauce packets on car dashboards or squeezing ketchup directly onto individual fries when eating away from a table.
Where to Find the Heinz Dipper
The Heinz Dipper is currently available in six markets across the United States:
- Select Fat Sal’s Delis in the greater Los Angeles area
- Devil Dawgs locations in the greater Chicago area
- Pat’s King of Steaks in Philadelphia
- Lucky’s Hot Chicken in Dallas, Texas
On January 17, the product will also be available during basketball games at Texas Tech University and the University of Southern California.
Internationally, the Heinz Dipper is available at various locations across ten countries:
- Canada
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Germany
- Italy
- Portugal
- Philippines
- Thailand
- China
- Kuwait
Why Heinz Created the Dipper
Heinz said the new dipper product was created out of a need for a solution to common struggles faced by many ketchup users. The company noted that fans have long struggled to enjoy their favorite ketchup and fry pairing away from the table.
Nina Patel, the vice president of the Global Heinz Brand at the Kraft Heinz Company, explained the motive behind the Heinz Dipper. She said it was about “redesigning the age-old fry box to work even harder for our Heinz lovers everywhere.”
Patel added that as more eating occasions happen away from home in drive-thrus and on-the-go moments, the Heinz Dipper offers a fun and relevant way to innovate. It meets fans where they are and strengthens Heinz’s role in their everyday lives.
Limited Release Strategy
Heinz is treating this as a limited release. The company stated that this distribution will serve “as a test for expanded distribution.”
This approach allows Heinz to gauge consumer response and operational feasibility before considering a broader rollout.
Market Context
The Heinz Dipper arrives as consumer eating habits shift increasingly toward away-from-home consumption. Drive-thru orders, food delivery, and on-the-go snacking have become significant market segments.
By integrating the ketchup compartment directly into the fry box, Heinz eliminates the need for separate condiment packets. This reduces packaging waste and simplifies the eating experience for consumers.
Global Rollout
The simultaneous launch across ten countries indicates Heinz sees international appeal for the product. The selected countries span North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
This diverse geographic distribution suggests Heinz is testing the product’s cultural adaptability across different markets and dining customs.
Consumer Experience
The Heinz Dipper targets the frustration many consumers experience when trying to enjoy ketchup with fries while mobile. Traditional solutions like squeezing ketchup onto fries or balancing packets often result in mess or inconvenience.
The built-in compartment design keeps the ketchup contained and accessible, allowing for easier dipping without additional packaging or cleanup concerns.
Innovation in Food Packaging
The Heinz Dipper represents an example of functional innovation in food packaging. Rather than simply containing food, the packaging itself becomes part of the consumption experience.
This type of innovation could influence how other condiment companies approach packaging design for mobile consumption scenarios.
Next Steps
Consumers interested in trying the Heinz Dipper can check the company’s website for a full list of participating locations. The limited release means availability may vary and could change based on consumer response.
Heinz has not announced specific plans for expanded distribution beyond the current test phase. The company will likely evaluate sales data and consumer feedback before determining next steps for the product.
