PLANO, Texas, Jan. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- From warmer weather to budding trees, the arrival of spring signals new beginnings--so what better way to welcome the season than with a first-of-its-kind snack from the Cheetos brand? Well, it's time to shake off those winter blues as Cheetos -- one of the billion-dollar brands from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division -- turns a new leaf, introducing Cheetos Sweetos, the first and only sweet Cheetos snack to hit U.S. store shelves in the brand's 67-year history. Cheese not included.

Created by the Cheetos development team, Cheetos Sweetos snacks swap signature Cheetos cheese flavor for delicious, cinnamon-sugar puffs. This sweet new offering takes the spring snacking experience beyond chocolate bunnies and marshmallow candies, providing a fun twist to traditional treats.

"Whether it's our Cheetos Bag of Bones Halloween-themed snack or first-of-its-kind Cheetos Mix-Ups product, we're always looking for ways to add some playful fun to the snack aisle," said Jeff Klein, vice president of marketing, Frito-Lay. "So this year - in true Cheetos fashion - we decided to turn spring snacking on its head with the most unexpected treat in decades. Move over chocolate bunny, there's a sweet new snack in town."

Beyond Cheetos Sweetos snacks, the Cheetos brand is putting its playful - and mischievous - stamp on one of the most anticipated spring holiday traditions - egg decorating. Available in early March on Cheetos.com, the brand's new "Eggerator" allows consumers to digitally decorate their own spring holiday eggs, all with an unexpected Cheetos twist. Those who design and submit an egg will be entered into a contest for a chance to win $10,000. For more information, please see the official rules at www.Cheetos.com.

Cheetos Sweetos snacks will be available in retail stores nationwide beginning mid-February for a limited time in 7-ounce bags for a suggested retail price of $3.49.

To learn more about Cheetos Sweetos snacks, visit www.facebook.com/Cheetos.

About Cheetos

Cheetos is one of the billion-dollar brands that makes up Frito-Lay North America, the $13 billion convenient foods business unit of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. Learn more about Cheetos by visiting www.facebook.com/Cheetos.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2013, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose - our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth in shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

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SOURCE PepsiCo