Honey Bunchies on 'Shark Tank': Here's how you can buy veteran-owned healthy snack bars
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the latest episode of ABC's 'Shark Tank' Season 14, we witness Kendra Bennett pitch Honey Bunchies. Just one week before its scheduled airing, the company decided to give itself a fresh new identity and thus rebranded to Bon Bee. With a focus on providing a healthy snack option, Honey Bunchies bars are free of keto-unfriendly ingredients such as gluten, dairy, peanuts, and grains. Kendra, her father (an Air Force veteran), her mother, and her brother are the driving force behind this business.
Even before they appeared on the show ABC, these bars found their way onto the shelves of local grocery stores and caused a stir among health-conscious consumers. Now, with the show's spotlight on them, the race is on for anyone who wants to try these delectable treats. The question on everyone's mind is, what will the Sharks - Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Lori Greiner, and Kevin O'Leary - make of Honey Bunchies? But before we delve into their opinions, let's take a closer look at the product itself.
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What is Honey Bunchies?
The story of Honey Bunchies is one that exemplifies the American spirit of innovation, determination, hard work, and family values. It is a tale that showcases the power of passion and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. At the heart of this remarkable success story is the Payne family, who founded Honey Bunchies. Ed Payne, a former Captain in the United States Air Force, had the vision to create a snack that was similar to the homemade treats his mother used to make for him as a child. Despite having no recipe to follow, he was determined to make his dream a reality. With the support of his wife Jennifer, daughter Kendra, and son Edward, Ed set out on a journey of experimentation and innovation. After countless trials and errors, he finally created the perfect recipe for Hunny Bunchies Gourmet Honey Bars. The name itself is a nod to Jennifer's nickname, 'Honey Bunchie,' and is a testament to the family's deep-rooted bond.
The two flavors of Honey Bunchies bars, Peanut Pecan and Coconut Almond, are both crafted with honey as the main ingredient, accounting for about 42 per cent of the bar's weight. The Peanut Pecan bars are chock-full of nutrients and energy, with a delectable blend of honey, sunflower kernels, milk, butter, tapioca syrup, peanuts, pecans, and vanilla. The Coconut Almond bars, on the other hand, are a delightful blend of honey, unsweetened coconut cream, sunflower kernels, almonds, tapioca syrup, coconut shavings, and vanilla. Despite their unique and mouth-watering flavor profiles, the path to success was not easy for Honey Bunchies. Ed started out by selling the bars locally, approaching retailers one by one. However, his big break came when Whole Foods picked up the product, propelling the brand to new heights of success.
Who are the founders of Hunny Bunchies?
When you bite into a Honey Bunchie bar, you’re not just tasting a delicious snack - you’re tasting a story of perseverance, determination, and family. This family-owned business started out as a simple idea in the mind of Ed Payne, a former Captain in the United States Air Force. Ed had always loved the taste of honey, and he wanted to create a snack similar to what his mother used to make him decades before from scratch. However, he had no recipe and ended up experimenting until he got it right. The result of his experiments is the Honey Bunchie Gourmet Honey Bar. The name is inspired by Ed's wife Jennifer's nickname - Honey Bunchie. Honey is the key ingredient in the bar, accounting for about 42 per cent of its weight. There are two flavors of the bars available - Peanut Pecan and Coconut Almond. Each bar is packed with nutrients and energy, thanks to the combination of ingredients like sunflower kernels, milk, butter, tapioca syrup, peanuts, pecans, unsweetened coconut cream, almonds, coconut shavings, and vanilla. But the journey to success wasn't always easy for the Honey Bunchie team. Ed started out selling the bars locally by approaching retailers. It took time and effort to get their product out there, but eventually, their hard work paid off when Whole Foods picked up the product. The bars started in Colorado but soon became a hit all across the United States and even internationally.
What makes Honey Bunchie even more special is the family behind it. Ed's daughter Kendra Bennett is currently the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of the company. She's had an impressive career journey herself, completing her bachelor's degree in Marketing and Spanish from Colorado State University, studying business at Technologico De Monterrey from 1997-1998, and then getting another Marketing degree from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her extensive education and experience landed her a job as an intern and later a publicity coordinator at the Disneyland Resort in California, followed by a six-year stint as a Business Operations and Development executive at FamilyLinks Home Care and Companionship. Today, she's a proud co-owner of Honey Bunchie, carrying on her father's legacy of hard work and innovation.
Ed Payne's journey is truly remarkable. He went from being a fighter pilot in Vietnam, flying 144 missions in a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom Fighter, to surviving two ejections from his plane at tree top level or lower. It's a miracle he made it out alive. When he returned to the States from Vietnam, he became an instructor pilot teaching the next generation of Air Force pilots. Now, he's leading a veteran-owned business alongside his wife, daughter, and son, who's also a veteran. You can even see his ejection seat on display next to an F-4 Phantom at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver, Colorado.
What is the cost and how to buy Hunny Bunchies?
Individuals interested in purchasing Honey Bunchies Gourmet Honey Bars can easily find them through various outlets, including the company's website and Amazon. On this site, visitors can browse through the available products and select from either the Peanut Pecan or Coconut Almond flavors. Each order consists of 12 bars, which are available for a cost of $38.99. It is important to note that Peanut Pecan is Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, and Grain-Free, while Coconut Almond is Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Peanut-Free, Soy-Free, Grain-Free, Paleo, and Plant-Based. For those who prefer to purchase Honey Bunchie in person, the product is available at several retail locations throughout the United States. Some of the retailers that carry Honey Bunchie include 7-Eleven, King Scoopers, Kroger (coming soon), Natural Grocers, and Whole Foods Market. It is important to note that availability may vary depending on the region.
In addition to being available for purchase at a variety of retailers, Honey Bunchie has also gained popularity due to its numerous health benefits. Each bar is made with natural ingredients, and the primary ingredient is honey, which accounts for approximately 42 per cent of the bar's weight. Honey is known for its antibacterial properties, making it an excellent addition to any diet. The bars are also packed with nutrients and energy, making them a great snack option for anyone looking for a healthy alternative to traditional snack foods. One happy user wrote on Amazon, "I bought these before, & they were gone withing a week! I just received my 2nd order. My 10yr old absolutely loves them, I love them, I had a few other family members try one... They loved them. These are absolutely worth the money. They taste delicious, they are healthy, & you are supporting a family business. I love the thank you notes too! Cute little personal touch that is appreciated! Both times they were very well packaged & shipping was fast. Nothing bad to say about these yummy treats!"
Where is Hunny Bunchies now?
Throughout its history, this company has demonstrated remarkable growth and expansion, establishing a strong presence in a variety of retail channels. Honey Bunchies are currently available at select Whole Foods, Safeway, and Natural Grocers locations, as well as independent shops and on Amazon. However, the company is not content to rest on its laurels. In fact, it is actively pursuing new opportunities to bring its products to an even wider audience. In the coming months, Honey Bunchies is set to launch in Walmart stores across the nation, a move that is sure to generate significant buzz and drive sales. Furthermore, the company is currently conducting a trial run of its products in select 7-Eleven stores in the Dallas area, with an eye toward expanding to 1,000 stores nationwide if the response is positive. This ambitious plan speaks to the company's dedication to growth and expansion, as it seeks to cement its status as a household name in the healthy snack market.
Who will steal the Hunny Bunchies?
Based on the previous successes and impressive growth of Honey Bunchies, it can be speculated that the company is poised to secure a deal on Shark Tank. While it is possible that Sharks such as Kevin O'Leary or Daymond John may shy away from investing in a grocery item, it can be predicted that Sharks with experience in the food and snack industry, such as Lori Greiner, Mark Cuban, or Barbara Corcoran, may express interest in the company and its products. Additionally, it is possible that the Sharks may offer suggestions for the company, such as the recent name change to Bon Bee, which was implemented just a week before the Shark Tank episode aired. The Sharks are known for their keen insights and business acumen, and their feedback and suggestions could prove invaluable to Honey Bunchie as they continue to expand their brand and product offerings.
'Shark Tank' Season 14 Episode 20 airs on ABC on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 8.pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like Dapper Boi, Tia Lupita Foods, and Play Maysie.
Watch the latest episode the next day on demand, or on Hulu. You can also stream old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.