PepsiCo Launches Chip Flavor Mashups With iShowSpeed, Madison Beer

PepsiCo is mixing up its snack aisle with a campaign that trades its iconic chip flavors to create limited-edition mashups fans haven’t seen before.

The new “Flavor Swap” initiative takes familiar favorites like the Doritos Cool Ranch, Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream, and Lay’s Sweet Southern Heat BBQ, and drops each into a new format.

Cool Ranch seasoning now appears on Ruffles ridged chips, Lay’s Sweet Southern Heat shows up on Cheetos Crunchy, and Ruffles’ Cheddar and Sour Cream ends up in a bag of Doritos.

According to the F&B giant, the combinations result from extensive package testing to pick the pairs most likely to resonate with consumers.

Each variety also avoids artificial colors and flavors, aligning with the company’s push toward simpler ingredient profiles.

Iconic Influencers Meet Iconic Snacks

For this launch specifically, PepsiCi leaned into influencer marketing and partnered with major tastemakers.

These include Madison Beer, iShowSpeed, and Dude Perfect, to celebrate the new chip mashups.

As a bonus, they themselves appear on the new packaging.

In stores, the Flavor Swap varieties will stand out as limited-edition bags, each featuring the face of a creator who championed that specific mashup.

Notably, early digital release through TikTok Shop gives PepsiCo a direct link from social buzz to commerce.

“When I’m on tour, Cheetos is one of my go-to snacks,” says Madison Beer.

“It was fun to be part of the new Flavor Swap. Sweet Southern Heat Barbeque on Cheetos Crunchy. It’s a little sweet, smoky and a bit spicy.”

The campaign marks PepsiCo’sfirst creator-led chip launch, harnessing its rich fanbases to tap consumers on platforms where they engage and interact.

Flavor Swap also doesn't play by the traditional product rollout.

Before hitting U.S. retail shelves on March 1, fans can already buy the limited-edition flavor swaps on TikTok Shop, which is the same platform where hype is already building.

And this seems to be a pattern for the company, as it just officially announced the nationwide launch of its Pepsi Prebiotic Cola after a Black Friday trial release.

'Flavor Swap' Teaches Us How to Refresh Legacy Products

When you're a legacy brand with products that have been loved for decades, it's impossible to plateau. 

There will always be ways to switch things up, and "Flavor Swap" is a testament to that.

It shows how heritage brands can excite consumers with new releases without needing to overhaul their core products. Marketers, take note:

• Limited-edition flavor swaps can reinvigorate interest in entrenched snack brands without confusing core consumers.
• Early digital commerce releases tied to social platforms let brands capture buzz where culture is happening.
• Creator involvement in packaging and launch stories bridges product drops and fan communities, boosting awareness and shareability.

PepsiCo generated nearly $94 billion in net revenue worldwide in 2025, with its food portfolio including Lay’s, Doritos, and Cheetos driving a lot of the growth. 

Our Take: Could Classic Chips Get Any Better?

This might be subjective, but what we do know is how they can get more exciting. When a giant like PepsiCo tinkers with its most iconic snacks, it creates ripples.

I’ve always seen snack innovation as a risk because fans have a tendency not to embrace change, especially when drastic. 

But "Flavor Swap" is subtle enough to stick to product roots and, at the same time, offer consumers something new. 

It’s playful, social, and rooted in the understanding that modern consumers enjoy being part of the story.

And when their favorite creators are on the packaging, how could they say no?

In other news, KitKat recently came up with limited-edition car-shaped chocolate wafers in celebration of their partnership with F1. 

Check out our top experiential marketing agencies that design campaigns to spark joy among audiences.