Cool Ranch Doritos have been a popular snack food since they were first introduced by Frito-Lay in 1986. The tangy, cool ranch flavored tortilla chips have become a pantry staple for many, making any rumors of them being discontinued quite alarming. So what’s the deal? Have Cool Ranch Doritos actually been discontinued or changed in some way? Let’s take a closer look at the history and current status of this iconic snack.
Background on Cool Ranch Doritos
Cool Ranch Doritos originated in 1986 as “Cooler Ranch” Doritos. They were labeled as the “Official Snack of the Big Game” to promote them for Super Bowl XX in 1986. The original release featured more spice and garlic, later versions were reformulated to be more cheesy and salty.
In the 1990s, Cool Ranch Doritos became one of the most popular flavors and Frito-Lay began producing them outside of the U.S. Due to the association with the American West, the name was adapted for certain international markets. In Europe and Australia they were labeled “Cool American” Doritos, in Brazil the name translated to “American Style.”
Over the years, Cool Ranch Doritos have frequently been brought back for limited time releases and special promotional campaigns. Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch and Tacos at Midnight (taco flavored) varieties extended the brand. In 2011, Cool Ranch underwent a major overhaul and re-release in partnership with Taco Bell.
Cool Ranch Doritos have also been incorporated into a number of specialty products like Doritos Loaded snacks, breakfast cereal, and more. The distinctive blue corn chips and bold seasoning have made Cool Ranch one of the most identifiable flavors of Doritos.
Have Cool Ranch Doritos Been Discontinued?
So what about those rumors of Cool Ranch Doritos being discontinued? Well, the good news is, regular Cool Ranch Doritos don’t seem to be going anywhere. As of October 2023, original Cool Ranch Doritos are widely available at grocery stores and mass retailers in the United States. They remain one of the core longstanding flavors of Doritos alongside Nacho Cheese.
However, over the years there have been certain limited edition releases or specialty versions of Cool Ranch that were only available for a short time:
| Discontinued Cool Ranch Varieties | Years Available |
|---|---|
| Tacos at Midnight | 2013 |
| Jumpin’ Jack Cheese Cool Ranch | 2004 |
| Blazin’ Buffalo and Ranch | 2017-2020 |
So in those cases, once the promotional window closed, those specific flavored twists on Cool Ranch were no longer made. But the original has remained a constant presence.
In 2022, there was some confusion when Cool Ranch Doritos seemed to disappear from some store shelves. But Frito-Lay representatives quickly clarified this was due to supply chain issues, not a discontinuation. Production ramped up again and shelves were restocked.
Current Status of Cool Ranch
As of 2022-2023, Cool Ranch Doritos remain in active production and distribution in the United States. They are available at most major grocery retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kroger year-round.
Based on Frito-Lay’s website and product locator, Cool Ranch can be found at the following major retailers:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Safeway
- 7-Eleven
- Amazon
Cool Ranch Doritos are also still available from online snack retailers, convenience stores, vending machines, and other snack food outlets. They remain one of the flagship flavors of Doritos.
Frito-Lay has given no indication that Cool Ranch will be disappearing from shelves anytime soon. The flavor continues to be heavily marketed and promoted through campaigns like Doritos’ Super Bowl ads.
The Future of Cool Ranch Doritos
While original Cool Ranch Doritos seem to be sticking around, there are some interesting developments when it comes to new flavors and varieties:
– In 2022, Cool Ranch Doritos got a spicy twist with the limited release of Flamin’ Hot Cool Ranch – bringing together the classic Cool Ranch flavor with a Flamin’ Hot kick. This was the first time Flamin’ Hot paired with Cool Ranch.
– Cool Ranch has been made available in multi-packs along with current popular flavors like Flamin’ Hot and Spicy Sweet Chili. This suggests Cool Ranch still has strong appeal among today’s snackers.
– An extra bold Cool Ranch variant called Doritos Xtra was launched in 2019 but has since been discontinued. It suggests Frito-Lay may continue experimenting with intensity levels for the flavor.
– In international markets, unique Cool Ranch inspired flavors tailored to local tastes are often rotated through limited releases.
So while the original Cool Ranch Doritos appear here to stay, Frito-Lay seems interested in continuing to innovate within the Cool Ranch flavor profile. New extra spicy, cheesy, or tangy twists on the classic seem likely to pop up in the future.
Conclusion
Based on all current information, standard Cool Ranch Doritos continue to be widely produced and have not been discontinued. They remain easily available at most major retailers where Doritos are sold. While limited promotional varieties may come and go, the classic tangy and cool ranch flavored tortilla chip is still being produced in full force. Barring any unforeseen supply disruptions or sudden changes in demand, most signs point to Cool Ranch Doritos remaining on shelves for the foreseeable future. So fans of this iconic snack can rest assured that their favorite pantry staple isn’t going anywhere.