Ricos Products, the iconic snack brand that introduced the world to concession nachos, is celebrating 50 years of delivering unforgettable flavor and fun to fans everywhere. First debuting in 1976 at Arlington Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Ricos nachos forever changed how spectators and moviegoers enjoy the moments they love, sparking a global snack phenomenon that continues today.
What began as a simple concession snack (tortilla chips, cheese, and jalapeños) quickly evolved into a cultural staple expanding beyond stadiums and theaters into homes, retail and club stores, and entertainment venues in over 80 countries. Over the past five decades, Rico’s portfolio has expanded to include a variety of canned cheese sauces, flavored ready-to-eat popcorn, nacho chips, jalapenos, nachos on the go, pickles, and sno-ball syrups
“Fifty years of Ricos represents the power of innovation and the joy of bringing people together through food. Nachos are part of the moments we look back on,” said Tony Liberto, CEO of Ricos. “And as we look ahead, we’re excited to continue pushing boundaries and creating fun, flavorful experiences for the next generation of fans.”
Ricos Nacho Truck
To mark the milestone, Ricos is hitting the road in April on a cross-country journey honoring the theatres, retail partners, and communities that helped build this legacy. At the heart of the tour is the Nacho Truck, a rolling tribute to five decades of unforgettable movie nights, Friday night lights, and snack-time traditions.
The journey will culminate in a special visit to Mahoning Drive-In Theatre in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, with additional stops planned in Bentonville, Arkansas; Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Hagerstown, Maryland; and Roanoke, Virginia. At every stop, the Ricos team will create engaging, high-energy consumer moments designed to celebrate the power of snack culture and cinema nostalgia to thank the theatres, retail partners, and loyal communities who have made Ricos a staple of the concession and snacking experience for the past 50 years.
“Ricos has always been about shared moments—cheering with friends, celebrating wins, and enjoying great snacks along the way,” says Megan MacDiarmid, Vice President of Marketing at Ricos. “After 50 years, we are still humbled to be part of the memories that matter most. We can’t wait to surprise and delight cheese lovers all year long and continue creating moments worth savoring.
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Thank you, nacho lovers
Being a family-owned and operated company, Ricos has grown alongside generations of fans, becoming a part of their everyday traditions. This milestone is a chance to thank nacho lovers for decades of support and to honor the memories and moments made around food. Ricos is committed to innovating the snack aisle, creating delicious, high-quality products that bring people together for the next 50 years and beyond.
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