Grenade has announced the launch of Grenade Soft Core, a new range of textured protein bars. Scheduled for a full commercial rollout in August 2026, the new product line represents a strategic effort by the Mondelēz-owned brand to capture market share in the rapidly growing 10g to 19g protein snack category by bridging the gap between functional nutrition and traditional confectionery.

The permanent addition to the brand's portfolio follows the strong performance of its limited-edition Easter release. It is designed to satisfy shifting consumer preferences for multi-textured, indulgent snack formats that maintain a healthier nutritional profile.

Product Formulation and Flavours

The Grenade Soft Core range introduces a new 50g bar format engineered to deliver sensory characteristics commonly found in standard confectionery chocolate bars. Each bar features a light, fluffy protein dough surrounding a smooth, gooey core, all enclosed in a thick chocolate coating.

Each 50g bar delivers 15 grams of protein and contains less than 2 grams of sugar. The product line is launching with three distinct flavours:

🥜 Chocolate Peanut Butter: Features a peanut butter-flavoured dough wrapped around a smooth peanut butter-style centre, finished with a milk chocolate coating.

🍮 Golden Caramel: Combines a caramel-flavoured dough with a rich, indulgent caramel centre, finished with a white chocolate coating.

🍫 Double Chocolate: Formulated with a chocolate cocoa dough surrounding a rich chocolatey centre, finished with a milk chocolate coating.

Why Soft Core?

The development of the Soft Core platform aligns with consumer insight data indicating high demand for textured and filled confectionery formats. According to market research cited by Grenade, 75 per cent of UK snack consumers are attracted to products that combine multiple textures, while 70 per cent express interest in filled snack bars.

The permanent rollout is also heavily informed by the success of the brand's limited-edition Creme Egg Soft Core bar, which was introduced during the Easter trading period. Brand sales data indicated that 87 per cent of the Creme Egg product's sales were incremental to the existing Grenade portfolio, demonstrating a clear consumer appetite for the soft-centre format without cannibalising the core range.

Rachel Austerberry, UK Retail Sales Director at Grenade, stated that the new range is designed to sit at the intersection of indulgence and functional nutrition. Austerberry noted that consumers are increasingly looking for high-protein snacks that do not compromise on taste and texture, and that the Soft Core range is intended to attract new shoppers to the category while offering retailers a distinct point of differentiation on the shelves.

Distribution

Grenade Soft Core is scheduled to commence distribution in August 2026 across major UK supermarkets, convenience retailers, wholesalers, and online via Amazon. Pre-orders are set to begin dispatching on 3 August 2026.

The product carries a recommended retail price (RRP) of £2.95 per individual bar, with wholesale configurations packaged in cases of 12.

To support the commercial launch and drive consumer trial, Grenade will execute an above-the-line marketing campaign running throughout September and October 2026. The digital and media campaign will be supported by dedicated in-store point-of-sale materials to enhance visibility in the retail environment.