The History of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal

General Mills first released Cinnamon Toast Crunch in 1984. Unsurprisingly, the flavor was intended to replicate the taste of cinnamon sugar toast. In 1987, the company began promoting the cereal in TV ads using a mascot named Chef Wendell, who was sometimes accompanied by two other bakery employees. In 1991, the two employees were removed from the design on the cereal boxes and TV spots. In 2009, Chef Wendell was removed from the boxes and in 2010, mascots called “The Crazy Squares” debuted instead. In 2012, the recipe for Cinnamon Toast Crunch was altered to increase the amount of whole grains and decrease the amounts of sugar and sodium in the cereal. However, Cinnamon Toast Crunch is still considered one of the most sugary and least healthy cereals on the market. It is also considered one of the tastiest, however, and has been ranked as the fifth-best-selling cereal in the country. Additionally, it has been named the most popular cereal in over half of the 50 states. In addition to the original Cinnamon Toast Crunch variety, General Mills has released several spin-off flavors over the years, including 1995’s French Toast Crunch, which was discontinued but later brought back due to popular demand, as well as Peanut Butter Toast Crunch, Chocolate Toast Crunch, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Churros, and Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch. Today, Cinnamon Toast Crunch remains one of the most beloved cereals on the market.