Kelloggs Breakfast Mates - Failure Museum

Kellogg’s Breakfast Mates

Breakfast Mates were a breakfast product launched by Kellogg’s in 1998, designed for busy families. Each package included a serving of cereal in a plastic bowl, a 4-oz serving of reduced-fat milk, and a plastic spoon. The product aimed to provide a convenient breakfast solution for children to prepare their own meals while parents were away, but it wasn’t a problem consumers felt they had. It also faced significant backlash from consumers, particularly due to the use of warm milk, which many found unappealing.

USFL

USFL

Summer football when the NFL was in their off-season; attempted move to a fall season to compete with the NFL in 1985

RyanLeaf2

Ryan Leaf

The biggest bust in NFL history; #2 overall pick by the Chargers in 1998; 4-17 record; 36 interceptions to 14 touchdowns

Honest Tea

Honest Tea

Decline in ready-to-drink tea sales in favor of cold brew coffees and antioxidant waters led to it’s demise in 2022.

Boston Market

Boston Market

After distinguishing itself in the 1990s as a cut above fast food and peaking at 1200 stores, it attempted to compete with those brands by holding its costs down – a move that ultimately led to a reduction in quality.

Grocery stores, too, ate Boston Market’s lunch as they began adding rotisserie chickens to their expanding prepared-meal aisles. Essentially, Boston Market became a victim of its own success. After helping to popularize the roasted, whole chickens – in some cases, introducing the concept to consumers – the chain eventually saw the likes of Costco serve up the same things, for far cheaper leading to its demise in 1998.

Pepsi Blue

Pepsi Blue

Discontinued in 2004 due to controversy surrounding use of a food dye banned in some countries.

Coca Cola Blak

Coca-Cola Blak

Coffee- flavored soft drink failed after only 2 years in 2008; tried to split the difference in calories between diet and regular soda.