NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — It’s Twinkies comeback day at Wal-Mart, three days ahead of the snack’s anticipated return nationwide. FOX 4 has learned that three stores in the KC metro area received a ‘first batch’ shipment and they are locations at:
- 1701 W. 133rd Street Kansas City, Mo. 64145, Phone: (816) 942-3847
- 11601 East US 40 Highway Kansas City, Mo. 64133, Phone: (816) 313-1183
- 85501 N. Boardwalk Ave. Kansas City, Mo. 64154, Phone: (816) 741-1099
Wal-Mart stressed that Twinkie fanatics would be prudent to call the store ahead of time, just because they received a shipment doesn’t mean they will still have them in stock.
Wal-Mart is rolling out the first batch of new Twinkies in 1,600 stores on Friday. And by Sunday, Twinkies will be available in 3,000 Wal-Mart stores, according to company spokeswoman Veronica Marshall.
Wal-Mart is selling Twinkies in an exclusive collectible box that says “First Batch” on the packagaing and the new Twinkies tagline: “The Sweetest Comeback in the History of Ever.” They cost $2.98 for a box of 10.
“These are the first production of Twinkies since production restarted,” Marshall said. “Each box that arrived to us contains fresh Twinkies and not frozen ones.”
Wal-Mart had planned to start selling Twinkies on Monday but pushed up the date when it was able to “get the inventory earlier,” Marshall said.
On Sunday, Wal-Mart will also start selling other Hostess-branded products, including mini muffins, fried fruit pies and cupcakes. The retailer will roll out Ho Hos, Zingers and SuzY Q in late August, and the cream-filled chocolate Sno Balls in late fall, according to Marshall.
Twinkies and other Hostess products have not been produced since November, when Hostess Brands Inc. filed for bankruptcy to liquidate its 82-year-old business following a strike.
The new snack company, Hostess Brands LLC, was bought out of bankruptcy for $410 million by private equity groups Apollo Global Management.
Does Wal-Mart anticipate a Twinkies rush this weekend? It could happen, Marshall said. “But we guarantee we’ll keep Twinkies in stock.”
By Parija Kavilanz
