It is official.  The Twinkie is here to stay.  In fact, Hostess Brands LLC, in an effort to make sure their product can be profitable has changed the recipe on this soft yellow calorie laden snack so that it has a shelf life of 2 months.   WALL-E’s cockroach robot would be so proud.

Behind the new changes is a learning experience for Hostess Brands.  They have tried changing the recipe in the past when shortages of certain ingredients became constrained, only to hear of revolt in their customer set because of the change to the texture.

The comeback of the Twinkie is marvelous testimony of Charisma.   Not that the little snack cake is charismatic.  But that Hostess is guilty of listening to their customers.  If people who buy Twinkies KNOW that the cake may not be the perfect substitution for a healthy apple, then why fight it?   One of the hallmarks of Business Charisma is that the products and services from these businesses have no substitution.   Sure there are other competitors products, but the sales spike that Twinkies enjoy when school starts is a statement by moms of TLC for their kids.

If the customer wants to eat unhealthy, why fight it?   So watch for those deep fried Twinkies.

It is like Five Guy’s Hamburgers.  They could put all that food in white lunch bags.   Instead you order the fries, which are deep fried and they are delivered in a brown paper bag. (Which telegraphs with grease stains on the brown paper . . . “Hey, come and get some GREAT fries.  Yep you might die but it is worth it.)

There is a message here.  Listen to the customer.  They want what they want.  They want a business that is charismatic.