5 Shocking Reasons Why Klondike Discontinued The Choco Taco (And The 2025 Comeback Status)

The Choco Taco, a beloved ice cream truck staple for nearly four decades, was abruptly discontinued by its parent company, Klondike (owned by Unilever), in July 2022. The sudden removal of the waffle cone taco shell filled with vanilla ice cream, fudge swirls, peanuts, and a chocolatey coating sent shockwaves across the internet, sparking celebrity outrage and a massive public outcry that continues to this day, with many still searching for an official 2025 update on its return.

The official explanation for the Choco Taco's demise was multifaceted, moving beyond simple poor sales to encompass complex supply chain issues and a strategic corporate decision to streamline the Klondike brand portfolio. The end of this nostalgic treat was not a quiet failure but a loud, controversial exit that has led to a major ice cream industry mystery: will the Choco Taco ever truly return to freezer aisles?

The Definitive History and Biography of the Choco Taco

To understand the controversy surrounding its discontinuation, one must appreciate the Choco Taco's unique place in American dessert history. It was a true novelty ice cream product that stood out from the traditional ice cream sandwich or popsicle.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

• Inventor: Alan Drazen
• Invention Year: 1983
• Original Company: Jack & Jill Ice Cream Company (Philadelphia-based)
• Inspiration: Drazen, who was a manager at Jack & Jill and a former Good Humor truck driver, was inspired by the rising popularity of Mexican cuisine in the United States, specifically the taco shape.
• Original Ingredients: Vanilla ice cream, a folded waffle cone "taco shell," chocolate coating, and peanuts.
• Acquisition: The Choco Taco brand was eventually acquired by Klondike, which is a subsidiary of the multinational consumer goods giant, Unilever.
• Primary Distribution: Ice cream trucks, convenience stores, and the fast-food chain Taco Bell (which tested it in select locations).
• Discontinuation Date: July 2022
• Lifespan: 39 years

5 Surprising Reasons Klondike Officially Discontinued the Choco Taco

The announcement of the Choco Taco's discontinuation in mid-2022 was met with such disbelief that many suspected it was a publicity stunt or an example of "engineered scarcity." Klondike, however, stood by its decision, citing a combination of business-driven and operational factors. Here are the five core reasons behind the Choco Taco’s surprising exit.

1. Streamlining the Product Portfolio to Cut Slower Sellers

The primary reason cited by Klondike and its parent company, Unilever, was a strategic decision to "streamline" their product portfolio. In the world of massive consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, every product must justify its place on the production line and in the freezer.

The Choco Taco, while beloved, was a relatively slower seller compared to Klondike's core, higher-performing products, such as the classic Klondike Bar. By eliminating the taco-shaped treat, the company could dedicate its manufacturing resources—including space, ingredients, and labor—to products with consistently higher sales volume and profit margins. This was a cold, hard business decision focused on efficiency.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

2. The "Unprecedented Spike in Demand" for Other Klondike Products

Paradoxically, the Choco Taco may have been a victim of the success of its siblings. Klondike stated that they had experienced an "unprecedented spike in demand" for other products in their portfolio over the past two years (leading up to 2022).

This surge in demand, combined with persistent post-pandemic supply chain issues, forced the company to prioritize. Essentially, Klondike had to choose which products to keep making with its limited resources. The production lines used for the unique, folded waffle cone of the Choco Taco were needed for more popular, easier-to-produce items like Klondike Cones and Klondike Bars. The Choco Taco’s unique shape and assembly process made it a less efficient item to produce during a resource crunch.

3. Supply Chain and Manufacturing Complexities

The Choco Taco’s defining feature—its taco shape—was also its manufacturing burden. Unlike the simple, block-shaped Klondike Bar or the standard cone, the Choco Taco required a specialized process to create and fold the waffle cone shell, fill it, and coat it without cracking. This complexity made it a less desirable product to keep in the lineup when ingredient sourcing and manufacturing capacity were strained. Prioritizing simpler products ensured that Klondike could keep the best-selling items stocked on shelves nationwide.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

4. Massive Public Outcry and Celebrity Uproar

While not a reason for the initial discontinuation, the public reaction became a massive entity in the Choco Taco story. The news sparked an immediate social media firestorm, with fans, comedians, and celebrities expressing their grief and outrage.

Notable figures who weighed in included:

• Alexis Ohanian: The Reddit co-founder publicly offered to buy the rights to the Choco Taco to save it.
• Chrissy Teigen: The model and author expressed her lament on social media.
• Andrew Zimmern: The celebrity chef shared his thoughts on the "insanity" of the decision.
• Roy Wood Jr.: The comedian used the moment to playfully gloat, referencing his past controversial tweets about the treat.
• A U.S. Senator even suggested the government should intervene to force manufacturers to keep making it.

This public pressure, though too late to save the product, was so overwhelming that it forced Klondike to immediately walk back their finality, hinting at a potential return.

5. Low Priority for Innovation and Marketing

For years leading up to 2022, the Choco Taco had received minimal marketing or innovation investment from Klondike/Unilever. It was a legacy product that relied purely on nostalgia and its status as an ice cream truck staple. Its sales performance was not poor enough to warrant an early death but was not strong enough to merit a high-priority spot when the company had to make cuts. In the end, it was a low-priority product in a high-priority crunch, making it the easiest item to sacrifice for the greater good of the overall Klondike brand.

The 2025 Status: Is the Choco Taco Coming Back?

The question of the Choco Taco’s return is one of the most persistent in the food industry. While Klondike has not provided a definitive date or a firm commitment, the door remains open, largely due to the intense public backlash.

Klondike’s Official Position (2025 Update)

Following the massive public uproar, Klondike released statements saying that the "overwhelming support for Choco Taco has certainly made us reconsider our long-term plans" and that they were "working on a plan" to bring it back "in the coming years."

As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the Choco Taco remains officially discontinued in its original Klondike form. However, the company has made it clear that the product is not permanently retired but rather on an indefinite hiatus while they resolve the manufacturing and supply chain issues that led to its initial demise. The return, if it happens, will likely be a phased re-release, perhaps starting with limited-time offers or regional tests.

The "Tacolate" Revival: Salt & Straw and Taco Bell

The most tangible sign of the Choco Taco's spirit living on is through a collaboration with another major brand. Artisan ice cream company Salt & Straw, known for its unique flavors, partnered with Taco Bell to create their own version of the ice cream taco, dubbed "The Tacolate."

This new, elevated ice cream taco, which has seen limited-time releases and tests, features a waffle cone shell, cinnamon ancho ice cream, and a chocolate coating with chili-infused peanuts. While not the original Klondike product, the "Tacolate" serves as a spiritual successor and proves that the consumer demand for the novelty ice cream taco is stronger than ever. This partnership, which has been active in the 2024–2025 timeframe, keeps the concept fresh in the public's mind and may pressure Klondike to accelerate its own return strategy.