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The basics:

• Day Out Snacks launches in 2,000+ Target stores nationwide June 8
• Montville-based brand’s protein balls deliver 12 grams of protein per serving
• Target marks company’s first permanent national retail placement
• Day Out products already sold at Costco, ShopRite and 800+ retail locations

A Montville-based better-for-you snack brand is hitting the shelves at Target stores nationwide.

In an exclusive announcement to NJBIZ, Day Out Snacks revealed that its dessert-inspired protein balls will launch June 8 at the big box chain’s 2,000-plus locations across the U.S. The treats will also be available on Target.com, according to the food manufacturer.

For Day Out founder and CEO Becky Dheri, the rollout marks the brand’s first permanent national retail placement. It also represents its largest expansion to date.

Inspired snacks

The pharmacist-turned-food entrepreneur established the company in 2018. Day Out produces dessert-inspired, nutrient-dense, bite-sized protein balls designed for functional snacking on-the-go.

Made in small batches, the snacks combine plant proteins to deliver 12 grams of protein per serving. Day out uses pea, chickpea, sacha inchi and chia seeds. It offers a collection of core flavors :brownie batter, cookie dough, cinnamon bun and peanut butter cup. All Day Out products are free from gluten, dairy, artificial flavors, sugar alcohols, seed oils, gums and emulsifiers.

Dheri was inspired to start the business after struggling to find healthy, convenient snacks while traveling for her job as a medical science liaison in the pharmaceutical industry.

“That’s really where the wheels started turning. I felt like I needed to take control of it and start to make something healthy right in my kitchen and actually bring that with me,” she explained to NJBIZ earlier this year.

Solving a common problem

“In the beginning, it was really just trying to solve this problem for myself … Sometimes you think you’re alone in a vacuum when you have a problem like this and you’re not fully aware of the impact that it could potentially have and that this is a common problem that a lot of people were facing,” she explained.

Originally sold as Protein Power Ball, the company rebranded as Day Out in 2024. The move aimed to broaden its appeal in the country’s roughly $13 billion better-for-you snacks market.

Ahead of a major push into brick-and-mortar, Day Out brought on Charlotte-headquartered Crave Ventures two years ago as an equity partner. The growth partner offers expertise in marketing, branding and growth.

Day Out is also raising capital to support its goals.

In addition to selling through its own website and Amazon, Day Out currently has a retail footprint across more than 800 stores across the U.S. You can find the brand at stores such as Costco, ShopRite and Dierbergs Markets.

A big ‘Day’

Dheri told NJBIZ the Target deal “is a dream come true for the entire Day Out team and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our company.”

“I started Day Out with one simple goal in mind: to create a delicious snack made with ingredients you can feel great about,” Dheri said. “Seeing our protein balls launch in more than 2,000 Target stores nationwide is truly surreal and almost feels hard to put into words. I dreamed of this day back when we were selling our protein balls at farmers’ markets throughout Monmouth County.”

I dreamed of this day back when we were selling our protein balls at farmers’ markets throughout Monmouth County.
– Becky Dheri, Day Out Snacks founder and CEO

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see our vision resonate with customers and retailers and we’re honored to partner with Target, a retailer that is shaping the future of better-for-you food,” she added.

Prime placement

For its Target debut, Day Out will launch three multi-pack varieties:

• Peanut Butter Cup,
• Cinnamon Bun
• And an exclusive Brownie Batter & Cookie Dough assortment

Each box retails for $10.99 and contains four single-serve pouches, Day Out said.

To support its arrival at Target, the brand will featured in end-cap display rotations at 800 stores from June 14 through July 25, the company said.

A projected $78.2B industry

As consumers have become more informed and discerning about their dietary habits, they have increasingly sought options that avoid or limit artificial ingredients, additives, preservatives and added sugars. They also look for foods that target specific health benefits, like immunity, weight management or gut health, along with transparency in ingredients.

The global market for healthy snacks is projected to hit $78.2 billion by 2030. In the present, consumer packaged goods companies are racing to meet the demand for healthy, on-the-go, affordable snacking options made from natural and plant-based ingredients that also appeal to taste buds.

Dheri said, “Today’s shopper expects a lot from their snacks. Day Out’s momentum reflects this growing desire for products that deliver on clean ingredients and craveability.”

“From the beginning, our goal was to create a snack that could compete with indulgent options on taste while maintaining the ingredient standards today’s consumers, especially Target shoppers, increasingly expect,” she went on. “Target continues to elevate ingredient-conscious options across the snacking category, which makes this launch especially meaningful for us.”