Makers of Rice-A-Roni Unveil Dinnertime Innovation, Mac-A-Roni, with Humorous Keynote Featuring Joel McHale

McHale invites families to taste the "possibilicheese" with Mac-A-Roni, while the brand offers a chance to try it at a free pop-up in NYC. 

CHICAGO, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- While other innovation giants are unveiling new technologies, fashion and seasonal offerings this fall, the makers of Rice-A-Roni are serving a different kind of innovation. No, it's not AI-powered nor pumpkin flavored, but it is creamy, cheesy and sure to solve even the toughest dinnertime woes by giving meals a taste upgrade. It's Mac-A-Roni.

You may be asking, "doesn't Mac-A-Roni already exist?" One would assume as much from a leader in rice and pasta blends, but it's taken some time to develop a macaroni and cheese worthy of the Mac-A-Roni name. The result? Two creamy, cheesy mac and cheese flavors that taste like they took all day to make. Available in Creamy Cheddar and Creamy White Cheddar flavors, Mac-A-Roni is a side dish with main character energy that will please even the pickiest mac and cheese lovers.

With the help of actor, comedian, TV host, and Chief Mac-A-Roni Officer Joel McHale, The San Francisco Treat is ready to share its latest side dish advancement with the world in an official keynote video, followed by a pop-up experience later this month. In the keynote, McHale takes on the persona of a Mac-A-Roni executive to walk the public through Roni's dinnertime innovation over the years, all leading up to this longtime-coming cheesy milestone.

"Having grown up eating Rice-A-Roni, it's an honor and absolute thrill to help officially introduce the world to its latest innovation, Mac-A-Roni," said McHale. "Mac and cheese is a big winner at my house, so it's been fun to immerse myself in this cheesy character, pun intended, and channel those nostalgic memories into a deliciously over-the-top experience. It doesn't hurt that I got paid in boxes of Mac-A-Roni, either. My family and I love this stuff!"

To commemorate the launch of Mac-A-Roni, the brand is inviting fans in New York City to attend The Mac-A-Roni Experience – a half-showroom, half-tasting-room free pop-up event offering a chance to try Mac-A-Roni, do a meet and greet with Joel McHale, and take home a complimentary box of Mac-A-Roni. The one-day event will take place on September 26 at 42 Grand Street in Manhattan, NY from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT with the line cutting off around 5 p.m. or while supplies last. It will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis or until samples run out. All ages are welcome, but attendees under 18 must come accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

The Mac-A-Roni Experience attendees can enjoy complimentary samples of both Mac-A-Roni flavors paired with other tasty foods at the Mac-A-Roni Tasting Table and get the opportunity to take home a free box of Mac-A-Roni while supplies last. They can also snap photos by the Mac-A-Roni Accessory Wall and meet local content creators and Mac-A-Roni ambassadors.

"We know it's taken us a while to get here, but we are beyond excited to add Mac-A-Roni to our official Roni lineup. Whether as a side dish or part of a main dish, Mac-A-Roni delivers on the flavor and convenience that families are looking for," said Katie Scupham, vice president of marketing at PepsiCo Foods North America. "We couldn't have asked for a better partner than Joel to help introduce Mac-A-Roni and usher in a new dinnertime staple for both Roni and mac and cheese lovers."

Mac-A-Roni is available at retailers and grocery stores nationwide.

About Rice-A-Roni
Rice-A-Roni has been making dinnertime easy and flavorful for over 65 years. Originally named for its combination of half rice, half pasta, Rice-A-Roni quickly became a staple in American families' meals and known as "The San Francisco Treat." With more than 50 rice and pasta products in our portfolio, including Pasta Roni and our newest Mac-A-Roni line, there's a flavor and variety for everyone in the family. For dinner time ideas and information on Mac-A-Roni, Rice-A-Roni and Pasta Roni, visit ricearoni.com and follow along on Instagram, X, Facebook, and YouTube.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

SOURCE Rice-A-Roni