The ROI of Corporate-Branded Snacks: More Than Just Munchies

In today’s increasingly competitive business landscape, companies are continuously seeking ways to lift brand visibility, improve employee satisfaction, and create meaningful connections with clients. 

While traditional marketing channels remain important, corporate-branded snacks have emerged as a surprisingly effective strategy that delivers measurable returns across multiple business objectives.

The Growing Branded Snack Market

The global corporate gifting market was valued at $765.46 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $1.11 trillion in 2028 at a rate of 7.76%. There are quantifiable benefits of having your brand on snacks and treats, for a variety of reasons, outlined below/

1. Enhanced brand recognition and recall

Consumable promotional products create a positive impression of the brand for 85% of recipients, according to research from the Advertising Specialty Institute.

More importantly, branded items achieve an impressive 85 per cent recall rate compared to just 21 per cent for traditional print advertising. 

When a client or prospect reaches for your branded pack of pretzels or custom mixed nuts, they're engaging with your brand in a highly personal context. Food connects us like no other experience, creating stronger neural connections than visual advertising alone, leading to improved brand recall.

2. Client relationship strengthening

According to the Corporate Gift Market Survey, 80 per cent of respondents stated that gifts have improved relationships with clients and employees. T

he same survey revealed that companies who give gifts report a 22 per cent increase in the likelihood of referrals from existing clients. Branded snacks offer a unique advantage in this regard.

Unlike promotional pens or USB drives that may end up in a drawer, food items are consumed and often shared with colleagues, extending your brand's reach within target organisations.

3. Employee engagement and productivity

The impact of branded snacks isn't limited to external marketing efforts. Used in your office space or corporate headquarters, branded snacks can significantly boost employee morale and productivity.

Providing quality branded snacks in the workplace contributes to happy, productive employees, while simultaneously reinforcing company culture.

SnackNation's workplace happiness survey discovered that 67 per cent of employees who have access to office snacks report being "very happy" at work, compared to 56 per cent of those without access to snacks.

ROI on corporate snacks

To maximize the ROI of your branded snack investment, consider this:

1. Alignment with brand values

The most successful branded snack programs align the food items with company values. For example, eco-conscious brands should opt for bulk packs with dispensers, while health-focused companies might choose nutrient-dense snacks – such as nuts! – with minimal processing.

This alignment creates coherence between your messaging and actions, reinforcing your brand's authenticity in the minds of your employees.

2. Quality over quantity

The quality of a promotional item directly impacts their perception of the brand. In the context of branded snacks, this means that investing in premium offerings will yield better returns than distributing larger quantities of lower-quality items.

3. Targeted Distribution Strategies

The most effective branded snack programs employ targeted distribution strategies rather than blanket approaches: 

•  Events: Branded snacks make a great addition to your next event, whether distributed in goodie bags, as a lucky door prize, or to entreat visitor to your expo stall. 
• Direct mail integration: Including branded snacks in direct mail packages increases open rates by up to 78% compared to standard envelopes (according to the Direct Marketing Association).
• Strategic timing: Delivering branded snacks during key decision-making periods or after significant service milestones can strengthen important relationships at critical junctures in your business.

Snack happy

Corporate-branded snacks represent more than just a trendy marketing gimmick – they're a multifaceted investment that delivers returns for brand awareness, relationship-building, and organisational culture.

Branded snacks and treats are one of the most tactile, memorable and feel-good ways to connect with both external stakeholders and internal teams. In an increasingly digital business environment, these tangible brand touchpoints provide a refreshing and remarkably effective complement to other marketing and brand-building efforts.

Find out more about Good Nuts merchandising for your branded snacks and treats.