- Hidden Valley™ Ranch Expands into Protein-Forward Snacking with New Line of Seasoned Chicken Dippers
May 11, 2026
Iconic Ranch Flavor Meets Ready‑to‑Eat Chicken in a New Product that Answers Consumers' Growing Need for Protein and Convenience
LAS VEGAS, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hidden Valley Ranch, the brand known for delicious, versatile condiments and seasoning, is bringing bold ranch flavor to the refrigerated aisle with the launch of its newest innovation: Hidden Valley Ranch Dippers — a new line of protein‑forward, ready‑to‑eat snacks designed to meet the cravings of ranch and protein lovers everywhere, whether they're hungry, busy or simply craving great flavor. The new products are beginning to roll out at select retailers across the U.S., including Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Albertsons among other retailers across the country, and will be officially unveiled at Sweet & Snacks Expo (booth #4437), to be held in Las Vegas, May 19-21.Hidden Valley Ranch logo
Developed through a licensing partnership with Carl Buddig and Company®, the new Dippers mark Hidden Valley Ranch's first entry into the refrigerated protein snacking space, pairing the brand's iconic ranch taste with convenient, high‑quality ready-to-eat chicken to deliver the flavor consumers love with the function they're seeking.
"Today's active consumers want food that works as hard as they do, so we're making it easier than ever for fans to enjoy the Hidden Valley Ranch flavor they love—anytime, anywhere," said Matt Barlow, Vice President of Brand and Commerce Marketing at Carl Buddig & Company. "The new Hidden Valley Ranch Dippers deliver satisfying taste and convenience in the moments that matter — whether that's a quick snack for on the go, post‑workout fuel or an easy topping for their favorite meals."
With seven in 10 Americans actively trying to consume more protein1, Hidden Valley Ranch Dippers are built to help consumers meet their goals without sacrificing the taste they enjoy. And because they require no preparation, the new snacks are designed for flexibility across multiple eating occasions.
"At Hidden Valley Ranch, we're always listening to our loyal ranch fans for ideas on where to bring our iconic flavor next," said Nick Higgins, General Manager of Hidden Valley Ranch. "Now we're making it more convenient and even more delicious for consumers to pack in more protein."
Available in Original Ranch and Buffalo-Style Ranch varieties, Hidden Valley Ranch Dippers (MSRP $3.00) feature 100% natural seasoned grilled chicken strips paired with creamy Hidden Valley™ Original Ranch™ dressing, delivering 15g of protein in a convenient snackable package.
Story Continues
The licensing collaboration brings together Hidden Valley Ranch's iconic brand heritage with Carl Buddig and Company's expertise and legacy of trusted protein products, enabling faster entry into the refrigerated snacking category.
"This partnership continues Carl Buddig and Company's commitment to flavor-forward innovation in the refrigerated category, allowing us to tap into new audiences, expand into formats consumers are actively seeking, and bring something fresh to the market," Barlow adds.
Find Hidden Valley Ranch Dippers in the refrigerated section, available at select retailers nationwide.
ABOUT CARL BUDDIG AND COMPANY
Carl Buddig and Company, based in Tinley Park, Illinois, has been feeding family traditions for over 80 years with the very best in taste, variety and convenience. Owned and operated by the third generation, the company is proud to have welcomed fourth-generation Buddig family members to the business in recent years.
Carl Buddig and Company is the parent company of great-tasting Buddig lunchmeat, Old Wisconsin hardwood-smoked sausage and snack products, and pre-cooked ribs and barbecue entrees under the Kingsford brand. To learn more, please visit www.buddig.com, www.oldwisconsin.com, and www.KingsfordBBQMeats.com.
ABOUT HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH Founded in 1954, Hidden Valley™ Ranch (NYSE: CLX) is the nation's original ranch dressing brand and America's #1 ranch2. Bottled Hidden Valley Original Ranch™ and Hidden Valley Ranch Seasonings & Packets come in a variety of flavors and forms for fans to enjoy the ranch flavor they love across all mealtime and snacking occasions. Hidden Valley Ranch products, including Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning, Dressing & Dip Recipe Mix, Hidden Valley Restaurant-Style Ranch Dressing Recipe Mix, Plant Powered Hidden Valley Ranch Topping & Dressing and more, can be found in grocery retailers nationwide and online. Follow us! www.instagram.com/hidden.valley/ and www.tiktok.com/@hiddenvalleyranch. Learn more at HiddenValley.com. CLX-B
1International Food Information Council survey, 2025
2Based on IRI unit sales data for L52WE 8/31/25Carl Buddig and Company®Hidden ValleyTM Ranch Expands into Protein-Forward Snacking with New Line of Seasoned Chicken DippersCision
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hidden-valley-ranch-expands-into-protein-forward-snacking-with-new-line-of-seasoned-chicken-dippers-302767428.html
View Comments
- Here's Why Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI) is a Strong Value Stock
May 8, 2026 · zacks.com
Wondering how to pick strong, market-beating stocks for your investment portfolio? Look no further than the Zacks Style Scores.
- ACI Worldwide Reports Strong First Quarter 2026 Results and Raises Full-Year Guidance
May 7, 2026 · businesswire.com
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), a leading provider of global payments technology, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. “Payments modernization continues to accelerate, and ACI is at the center of it,” said Thomas Warsop, President and CEO of ACI Worldwide. “In the quarter, Real Time Payments and Merchant each grew more than 20%, Biller delivered 10% growth on top of last year's double‑digit performance, and new ARR bookings grew 39%.
- ACI WORLDWIDE REPORTS STRONG FIRST QUARTER 2026 RESULTS AND RAISES FULL-YEAR GUIDANCE
May 7, 2026
OMAHA, NEB.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACI WORLDWIDE (NASDAQ: ACIW), A LEADING PROVIDER OF GLOBAL PAYMENTS TECHNOLOGY, TODAY ANNOUNCED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2026. “PAYMENTS MODERNIZATION CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE, AND ACI IS AT THE CENTER OF IT,” SAID THOMAS WARSOP, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ACI WORLDWIDE. “IN THE QUARTER, REAL TIME PAYMENTS AND MERCHANT EACH GREW MORE THAN 20%, BILLER DELIVERED 10% GROWTH ON TOP OF LAST YEAR'S DOUBLE‑DIGIT PERFORMANCE, AND NEW ARR BOOKINGS GREW 39%.
- Here’s What Makes CACI International (CACI) an Investment Bet
May 6, 2026
Conestoga Capital Advisors, an asset management company, released its first-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter is available to download here. The first quarter of 2026 started with optimism about the domestic economy and attractive small-cap valuations, but it was affected by volatility due to geopolitical unrest in the Middle East and shifting expectations regarding interest rates. This unrest drove up energy prices and created a cautious global market. Energy, Basic Materials, and Industrials performed well, while software companies faced challenges due to AI disruption concerns. Market sensitivity to geopolitical events, energy prices, and inflation remains high. The Conestoga Smid Cap Composite fell 10.24% net-of-fees, underperforming the Russell 2500 Growth Index’s -3.52% return. The decline was driven by negative stock selection and sector/industry-specific headwinds, notably within Technology, Industrials, and Health Care sectors. In addition, please check the Strategy’s top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its first-quarter 2026 investor letter, Conestoga Capital Advisors highlighted CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI). CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) provides expertise and technology to enterprise and mission customers in support of national security in the intelligence, defense, and federal civilian sectors. On May 5, 2026, CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) closed at $494.04 per share. One-month return of CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) was -14.91%, and its shares gained 3.81% over the past 52 weeks. CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) has a market capitalization of $10.91 billion.
Conestoga Capital Advisors stated the following regarding CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) in its Q1 2026 investor letter:
"CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) provides information solutions and services to the U.S. government, primarily in defense and intelligence. The company continues to benefit from strong demand for mission-critical technology and services, supported by a robust backlog and favorable budget environment. Its focus on higher-value programs and disciplined execution supports a durable growth profile and expanding margins."Is Albertsons Companies, Inc. (ACI) the Best Consumer Staples Stock to Buy According to Analysts?
CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 42 hedge fund portfolios held CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) at the end of the fourth quarter, up from 41 in the previous quarter. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) reported revenue of $2.4 billion, marking an 8.5% year over year growth. While we acknowledge the potential of CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
Story Continues
In another article, we covered CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) and shared the list of best defense stocks that will skyrocket. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q1 2026 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.
READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 15 Stocks That Will Make You Rich in 10 Years.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
View Comments
- 3 takeaways from Albertsons’ annual report
May 5, 2026
This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter.
While Albertsons reported a year-over-year net sales increase of almost 3.5% for its most recent fiscal year, its financial results also presented a picture of a company under pressure.
The supermarket operator, which spent the year stabilizing its operations following the implosion in 2024 of its planned merger with Kroger, posted a decline in operating income in fiscal 2025 of over 50%, according to its annual report released on April 27. Net income, meanwhile, was down by more than three-quarters, while the company’s long-term debt and other long-term liabilities climbed nearly 8%, to about $8.4 billion.
Albertsons also reported that it grew more reliant on its pharmacy business to drive its overall sales. Sales of fresh foods and non-perishable foods both lost ground when measured as a share of the company’s net sales and other revenue, while pharmacy sales comprised a larger portion of its revenue for the fifth year in a row.
“As we look ahead, our focus is on building a company that can grow sustainably through all cycles. We have a clear path to accelerating revenue growth, strengthening margins and improving returns while staying true to what makes Albertsons distinctive,” CEO Susan Morris said during Albertsons fourth-quarter earnings call in mid-April.
Here’s a look at some notable numbers from Albertsons’ latest filing and how these figures have changed over the last five years:Nearly a dozen lemony grocery store products.
Private label growth reignites
Albertsons’ store brand sales grew once again during its latest fiscal year after seeing relatively flat growth in recent years. Private label sales reached $16.9 billion in fiscal 2025, up 3% from the prior year. The company’s private brand sales hovered around $16.5 billion for the prior three fiscal years.
Albertsons disclosed that it operates 19 food production facilities, which included, as of late February, a soup plant, an ice plant, seven milk facilities, three soft drink bottling centers, three bakery plants, two ice cream plants and two grocery and prepared food facilities. The company makes almost 10% of its store brand items at these company-owned facilities.
Expanding private brand penetration is a top priority for 2026, Morris told investors on the earnings call.
“We are surgically investing where it matters most to our customer. That includes getting sharper on key value items and driving own brand penetration,” Morris said.
While the grocer is seeing “fairly flat penetration” for its private brands, she noted that the company has made major investments in team restructuring and lowering costs with vendors in a bid to increase penetration.
Story Continues
By the numbers
$16.9 billion
Albertsons' private brand sales in fiscal 2025
+3%
Increase in private brand sales from fiscal 2024.
+14,000
Number of Albertsons store brand items
E-commerce growth continues
After skyrocketing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Albertsons’ e-commerce growth has moderated in recent years.
In fiscal 2025, the company’s e-commerce sales grew 21% year-over-year — a slower pace than the 24% rate the prior year. However, the grocer is optimistic about making further inroads with shoppers through e-commerce.
Morris told investors that the grocer’s store-based fulfillment model is a key asset, and that more than half of online orders are fulfilled in under three hours. The vast majority of delivery households are eligible for the company’s 30-minute delivery service, which is its fastest-growing digital segment, she added.
Albertsons’ digital penetration came in above 10% during the final quarter of fiscal 2025 — a first for the company. Last week, the grocer added prescriptions as an option for DriveUp & Go curbside orders at its approximately 1,700 stores with pharmacies.
Albertsons noted in its latest annual report that it offers delivery services in more than 2,200 of its stores and Drive Up & Go curbside pickup service at more than 2,100 locations. Morris told investors in April that its first-party business, which includes its pickup and in-house delivery services, “continues to scale rapidly” and contributed nearly 90% of its 16% digital growth in the fourth quarter. The company also partners with Instacart, DoorDash and Uber on third-party delivery.
“Digital continues to be a powerful engine as we expand our base of loyal, engaged customers and scale the business in a disciplined and increasingly profitable way,” President and CFO Sharon McCollam said on the earnings call, noting that the company is seeing improvement in the profitability of its digital business.
Pharmacy sales keep rising
Albertsons’ pharmacy business has grown at a brisk clip in recent years, with sales for the category representing nearly 14% of the company’s total sales fiscal 2025, or about $11.4 billion.
As Albertsons’ pharmacy business has grown in recent years, it has commanded an increasing share of the grocer’s overall sales. During fiscal 2024, pharmacy sales accounted for almost 12% of the company’s total sales. By comparison, Albertsons’ pharmacy business represented 10.4% and 8.7% of its sales in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively.
Albertsons has become increasingly reliant on pharmacy sales to drive its top line
% of the retailer's total sales attributable to pharmacy operations, by fiscal year
But while Albertsons’ pharmacy sales are on the rise, the company is dealing with multiple challenges that are hampering its ability to make money filling prescriptions, the company noted in its annual report. Albertsons also pointed out that pharmacy sales offer lower margins than other categories.
Albertsons, which runs more than 1,700 pharmacies in its stores, indicated in its annual report that it is facing pressure from pharmacy benefit managers, which sit between pharmaceutical manufacturers and health plans in the drug supply chain and play a central role in determining the amounts pharmacy operators receive for products and services they sell.
“If these pressures result in reductions in our prices, we will become less profitable unless we are able to achieve corresponding reductions in costs, increase productivity or develop profitable new revenue streams,” Albertsons warned.
Albertsons is also confronting headwinds posed by a federal law passed in 2022 that authorizes the government to directly negotiate prices for some drugs paid for by Medicare. The supermarket chain reported earlier this month that the law, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, weighed on its pharmacy sales during its most recent quarter and crimped its comparable-store sales growth during the period.
Recommended Reading
Albertsons and its CEO face a ‘make or break’ 2026
View Comments
- Peru, Chile and Argentina Enter a New Phase of Growth Driven by Real-Time Payments, ACI Worldwide Report Finds
May 5, 2026 · businesswire.com
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Peru, Chile and Argentina are entering a decisive stage of their real‑time payments modernization journeys, with adoption expected to drive economic growth and financial inclusion across the region, according to the Real-Time Payments: Economic Impact and Financial Inclusion report. The study was commissioned by ACI Worldwide, and conducted by the Cebr (Centre for Economics and Business Research), a leading economic think tank.* By 2028, real-time payments are fore.
- PERU, CHILE AND ARGENTINA ENTER A NEW PHASE OF GROWTH DRIVEN BY REAL-TIME PAYMENTS, ACI WORLDWIDE REPORT FINDS
May 5, 2026
OMAHA, NEB.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PERU, CHILE AND ARGENTINA ARE ENTERING A DECISIVE STAGE OF THEIR REAL‑TIME PAYMENTS MODERNIZATION JOURNEYS, WITH ADOPTION EXPECTED TO DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION ACROSS THE REGION, ACCORDING TO THE REAL-TIME PAYMENTS: ECONOMIC IMPACT AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION REPORT. THE STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED BY ACI WORLDWIDE, AND CONDUCTED BY THE CEBR (CENTRE FOR ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS RESEARCH), A LEADING ECONOMIC THINK TANK.* BY 2028, REAL-TIME PAYMENTS ARE FORE.
- Some Investors May Be Willing To Look Past Albertsons Companies' (NYSE:ACI) Soft Earnings
May 4, 2026
The market for Albertsons Companies, Inc.'s (NYSE:ACI) shares didn't move much after it posted weak earnings recently. We did some digging, and we believe the earnings are stronger than they seem.
Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit.NYSE:ACI Earnings and Revenue History May 4th 2026
How Do Unusual Items Influence Profit?
Importantly, our data indicates that Albertsons Companies' profit was reduced by US$1.0b, due to unusual items, over the last year. While deductions due to unusual items are disappointing in the first instance, there is a silver lining. When we analysed the vast majority of listed companies worldwide, we found that significant unusual items are often not repeated. And that's hardly a surprise given these line items are considered unusual. In the twelve months to February 2026, Albertsons Companies had a big unusual items expense. As a result, we can surmise that the unusual items made its statutory profit significantly weaker than it would otherwise be.
That might leave you wondering what analysts are forecasting in terms of future profitability. Luckily, you can click here to see an interactive graph depicting future profitability, based on their estimates.
Our Take On Albertsons Companies' Profit Performance
As we discussed above, we think the significant unusual expense will make Albertsons Companies' statutory profit lower than it would otherwise have been. Because of this, we think Albertsons Companies' underlying earnings potential is as good as, or possibly even better, than the statutory profit makes it seem! Unfortunately, though, its earnings per share actually fell back over the last year. At the end of the day, it's essential to consider more than just the factors above, if you want to understand the company properly. So if you'd like to dive deeper into this stock, it's crucial to consider any risks it's facing. In terms of investment risks, we've identified 5 warning signs with Albertsons Companies, and understanding these should be part of your investment process.
This note has only looked at a single factor that sheds light on the nature of Albertsons Companies' profit. But there are plenty of other ways to inform your opinion of a company. For example, many people consider a high return on equity as an indication of favorable business economics, while others like to 'follow the money' and search out stocks that insiders are buying. While it might take a little research on your behalf, you may find this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks with significant insider holdings to be useful.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content?Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
View Comments
- Albertsons receives troubling news
Apr 30, 2026
It seems like Albertsons can’t get a break these days. The supermarket conglomerate has faced several lawsuits in recent years and now it’s about to face yet another major one.
It’s not uncommon for supermarkets like Albertsons to get sued. Roughly eight in ten companies are involved with a lawsuit, findings from the 2026 annual litigation trends survey show.
Albertsons’ earnings recently took a hit after it settled a lawsuit alleging it had a role in the opioid crisis, The Wall Street Journal reported.
And now it could find itself having to shell out more amid new allegations.
Albertsons sued over its pricing of these deals
Albertsons faces a fresh consumer protection lawsuit over its Buy One Get One deals.
The lawsuit by Washington state alleges the grocery chains of Safeway, Albertsons and Haggen have overcharged consumers in the past five years from these deals.
“Consumers walk into these stores, think that they’re getting a bargain,” state Attorney General Nick Brown said during a news conference. “They’re being told that they’re getting a deal, but in reality, they’re just paying an inflated price for that first item.”
The lawsuit alleges that Albertsons used unfair and deceptive acts by artifically increasing the prices of items before the price deal and then lowering the price shortly after the promotion ended. By doing this, the Brown’s office accuses Albertsons of misrepresenting prices and practising unfair competition.
Related: More trouble brewing for Albertsons and Kroger
The Attorney General’s office claims that one Albertsons store increased the price of olive oil to $10.99 for one deal from $6.99 a week earlier. The price then dropped to $6.99 after the deal ended.
This practice alledgely led to consumers being overcharged on more than three million transactions, bringing in as much as $19.7 million to Albertsons.
“We’re not going to stand for people getting fleeced by these deceptive practices,” Brown said. “That’s why we’ve filed this case. We want to make sure we’re protecting people’s pocketbooks, and we all know that affordability is a major issue these days. We’ve got to push back when companies are misleading their customers.”The lawsuit from Washington state alleges that Albertsons has illegally inflated its prices. Shutterstock
Not the first time Albertsons faces Washington in court
This isn’t the first time that Washington state has sued Albertsons. The state has gone after the grocer several times in the past few years, usually related to Albertsons failed merger with Kroger.
Washington state vs Alberstons lawsuits
Washington state filed a lawsuit to block Albertsons from issuing a $4 billion payout to shareholders in connection with its plans to merge with Kroger, according to state records. Courts in Washington and Oregon struck down the $24.6 billion merger in 2024, the Washington State Standard reported. The Attorney General in Washington issued a preliminary injunction against the merger and a judge approved a $28.4 million payment to cover the state’s costs from the case, Law360 reported.
Story Continues
Albertons has also faced similar lawsuits over its buy one get one free deals. The grocer settled a 2016 class action lawsuit in Oregon for $107 million, Supermarket News reported. Another class action lawsuit in California makes similar allegations, reports media company BoisDev.
More retail news
Kroger faces big legal troubles Beyond Meat tries to entice shoppers with new product Low-priced Walmart rival steps up expansion plans
Albertsons, which operates 225 stores across Washington, disagrees with the claims made in the latest lawsuit. The grocer said it has engaged with the Washington Attorney General’s office and that the allegations in the lawsuit are inaccurate, Supermarket News reported.
“Albertsons Companies is committed to complying with the law and to offering customers clear value through our promotions,” the company told Supermarket News.
Related: More grocery stores close, leaving customers with no options
This story was originally published by TheStreet on Apr 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
View Comments
