Many people don't realize that it can take up to a year or more to introduce a new product as there are numerous factors to consider when developing and testing new items. We must first come up with the idea of what we want to introduce - this is mostly based on customer feedback and current industry trends, but it must also fit our brand. Once we have figured out what we want to introduce, we then have to source the ingredients; making sure they are natural, kosher, readily available and meet our overall cost objectives. We must also take into consideration whether or not the product can be easily and efficiently produced using existing equipment.
Once we have figured out the actual item, recipe development can finally begin. We have a test kitchen on site at Fairytale Brownies Bakery in Phoenix and we utilize the services of Stephanie Green from Nutrition Studio, she is an R&D specialist in the baked goods industry. We'll go back and forth tasting, testing and tweaking the recipes until we come up with the perfect item. At this point the next phase of testing begins, which involves shelf-life, storage and ship-ability of the product. Ship-ability is important because we are in the mail order business, so if the item is not going to arrive in perfect condition, we can't introduce it. This could very well send us back to the kitchen for more recipe tweaking.
During the time the actual product itself is being finalized, our design team is working on packaging and the marketing team is working on how it will be sold and configured into our gift line.
All of this must take place prior to our Fall catalog photo shoot, which occurs annually in May. If we miss this deadline, the product will likely be delayed until the following Spring. As you can tell, the deadline for the coming 2010 Fall season is fast approaching so I must rush back to the test kitchen, a batch of chocolate brownie cookies is hot out of the oven and needs some tasting!

This week I had to get new glasses, due to always getting a headache when I wore my current prescription (this went on for a full year, not recommended). Well I went to a new eye doctor, who was very personable, funny and figured out my issue. My current glasses were to strong of a prescription. While he was doing the examination, he noticed the sweater I was wearing displaying the Fairytale Brownies logo. He inquired of the business and said he would visit our website 
The prize? A Congratulations Morsel 24. The gift includes two dozen bite-sized 1.5" x 1.5" Magic Morsels in four flavors (Original, Caramel, Chocolate Chip and Walnut).











"We're listening to the particular needs of foodservice providers and retail outlets," Eileen Spitaly, Fairytale Brownies co-founder said. "Our goal is to simplify dessert preparation while preserving the integrity of our gourmet brand." Our new Fairytale Half-Sheets arrive ready to serve and can be cut to a preferred size or shape as needed. The Fairytale Half-Sheets (4 lbs.) are baked in Original, Chocolate Chip and Walnut flavors and are sold by the case (5/4 lb.).
New retail ready packaging for Fairytale's individually wrapped brownies is being introduced at the show. Brownies, Sprites or Magic Morsels now will arrive in a 4-color display box with a pop-up lid for maximum consumer visibility. "These boxes should work very well in the frozen section as an entire unit for sale because they are shrink wrapped," Spitalny said.
Fairytale offers a great drop-ship program for catalog companies, floral shops and other online retailers. We ship UPS worldwide, and USPS to P.O. Boxes and APO/FPO addresses.
We know there are those of you out there who strongly believe that pie is the next big thing, and we see the signs, sure, but we're also betting on the brownie.









