• by Sarah Mahoney , March 26, 2026

People who can't imagine that Cheetos Flamin' Hot Dill Pickle would be a sold-out sensation probably can't imagine why — or even how — rapper Megan Thee Stallion could perform with Nickelback. But new ads for the return of the limited-edition flavor include a full recording of the Canadian rock band's parody of its own work, and a 4-minute heist video, with the unlikely co-conspirators blowing open the flavor vault at PepsiCo headquarters.

The  “Pickle’s Back” effort stems from a misunderstanding between Megan and a production assistant, who mishears the star's demand for "I want my pickle back" as a request for Nickelback. Those guys, baffled by the request, show up for duty with a cleverly rewritten parody of their 2001 hit "How You Remind Me," sung in collaboration with Hot Girl Meg and celebrating the unusual flavor pairing.

"The Cheetos fandom made Cheetos Flamin' Hot Dill Pickle the fastest-selling limited-edition product in our brand's history, and once they started demanding its return, there was no denying them," said Tina Mahal, vice president of marketing at PepsiCo Foods U.S., in the announcement. "We knew we couldn't just bring back the flavor. We had to think bigger, be louder, and create a moment worthy of their passion."

Directed by Dave Meyers, the music video also features car chases and some Flamin' Hot Cheetle waves, framing the second coming of Cheetos Flamin' Hot Dill Pickle as a genuine pop culture moment. Besides launching the music video on YouTube, the brand is posting behind-the-scenes stills and footage on social platforms and amplifying the ads across digital channels.

The idea was finding something that demonstrated fan passion for pickle power — one of the most unexpected and popular flavor trends of the last year. "Pairing Megan Thee Stallion with Nickelback was the ultimate expression of what Cheetos does best: Embrace the unexpected, dial up the mischief, and deliver something unforgettable," said Chris Bellinger, PepsiCo's chief creative officer.

But Cheetos isn't the only salty snack making news. Kellanova's Cheez-It brand is firing up the basketball fan base, announcing a partnership with Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets, who's having a breakout season. The brand is linking his double-doubles on the court with something called Kon's Double Double Cheez-It Bundle — pairing his two favorite off-the-court flavor picks: Cheez-It White Cheddar and Cheez-It Extra Toasty.