Finance
Pennies From the Past
May 28, 2025
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 broke their weeklong winning streaks with a modest dip, each closing down 0.4% on the day. The Russell 2000 squeaked out a small gain, but it was a classic “risk-off” trading session.
While equities softened, bond yields curiously ticked higher. Most sectors ended the day in the red — except for the usual defensive suspects: consumer staples, utilities, and healthcare. Financials and consumer discretionary names were the biggest drags on the day.
Once the butt of gas station jokes, meat sticks are now the hottest item in the protein snack aisle. U.S. consumers spent $3 billion on them last year — that’s the same as what was spent on Valentine’s Day roses or legal March Madness wagers.
What sparked the surge? Americans’ appetite for high-protein, low-prep snacks. With health-focused eating on the rise, meat sticks — compact, portable, and shelf-stable — are hitting the sweet spot for gym-goers, dieters, and budget-conscious snackers alike.
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New brands have reshaped the meat stick’s identity. Chomps targeted the paleo and keto community and earned a spot on Trader Joe’s shelves by highlighting grass-fed sourcing and clean labels.
Others, like Righteous Felon, leaned into bold packaging and a craft jerky vibe to win over snack-curious millennials and Gen Z buyers. With branding that mirrors the beer aisle more than the hunting aisle, they’ve landed in 10,000+ stores nationwide.
And here’s the secret sauce: meat sticks are easier (and cheaper) to make than jerky. That gave emerging brands room to scale fast — while appealing to busy, on-the-go snackers.
Of course, no meat stick conversation is complete without the OG: Slim Jim. Still synonymous with macho marketing and WWE nostalgia, Slim Jim's “Giant,” “Monster,” and “Savage” sizes remain shelf staples. (FYI: The “Savage” version packs the same calories as a McDonald’s double cheeseburger — and double the sodium.)
But today’s meat stick renaissance looks very different from Slim Jim’s heyday. Shoppers now want transparency, protein without the preservatives, and functional nutrition. That’s where the newer players are pulling ahead.
Across the board, meat snacks have seen flat year-over-year sales — except for one standout: “better-for-you” meat sticks. That segment alone grew 54% from 2023 to 2024, proving that even meat snacks have gone clean-label.
As consumers get savvier about what they eat on the go, brands that meet the moment with high-protein, no-nonsense nutrition are winning big. The message is clear: in today’s snack market, healthier bites bring bigger bucks.
Presented by Boxabl
When the biggest names in your industry take an interest, you know you're onto something.
That's the story with BOXABL. They're bringing assembly lines to home construction, gaining the attention of investors like D.R. Horton. Where traditional homes take 7+ months to build, BOXABL is capable of producing their signature “Casita” in 4 hours.And they’re just getting started. BOXABL just announced a new $20,000 housing unit called “Baby Box”. It’s a turn-key home designed for affordability and versatility, with applications spanning workforce accommodations to tiny homes.
Now, everyday investors can join them too. When BOXABL last opened a Reg A investment opportunity, they maxed out the $75M regulatory limit. BOXABL believes their new $20,000 house is the key to unlocking even greater potential.
Advertiser's disclosures:
¹ The minimum investment is $1,000. This is a paid advertisement for the Boxabl Inc. Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular and related risks at StartEngine’s Boxabl Website.
Investing in private company securities is not suitable for all investors because it is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. It should only be considered a long-term investment. You must be prepared to withstand a total loss of your investment. Private company securities are also highly illiquid, and there is no guarantee that a market will develop for such securities.
