Overview
- Conagra confirmed on Friday that it has stopped producing Celeste frozen pizzas and will retire the brand, with stores selling remaining boxed inventory until supplies run out.
- Company executives flagged the decision during the Sept. 30 fiscal first‑quarter remarks, where CEO John Brase said Conagra will exit small or low‑profit brands that lack a clear future.
- Conagra describes the change as part of an SKU rationalization to simplify its large product assortment and free up resources for higher‑growth lines such as meat snacks and popcorn.
- Longtime shoppers and social posts reacted with nostalgia for the budget‑friendly staple that traces to Mama Celeste’s 1937 Chicago restaurant and was later sold to Quaker Oats in 1969.
- Conagra expects benefits from the portfolio cuts to emerge over the next 12 to 18 months, and consumers should watch for faster sell‑through of remaining Celeste stock at local supermarkets.