Tulsa Snack Business Thriving After Surviving Legal Battle With Nestle

A snack business created by a woman in Tulsa has gone national after it was featured on QVC.

The little company, Carla’s Crazy Crunch, was almost crushed after a legal battle with a massive corporation, all because of its name.

The end of the name – Crunch – is why the Nestle Food company claimed trademark infringement. Ironically, what could have been a dead end for the Tulsa company, turned out to be the biggest thing that happened to them.

In Carla Robinson's wildest dreams, she never imagined she would be on QVC, describing her homemade sweet snack to thousands. It started small, in a kitchen almost four years ago.

"Food has always something that has brought my family together," Robinson said.

Robinson made her crazy crunch for friends and family for years during the holidays. When her mom was going through some tough times, the two got together and began selling it at events like home and garden shows and at Gathering place events.

"That following fall I found out Nestle was filing opposition to my trademark," Robinson said.

Nestle and its Crunch Bar, thought the word “Crunch” in the snack's name, would cause confusion.

Eventually they came to an agreement, but that dispute brought Robinson some huge attention, including a feature in Forbes, and offer to go on the Dr. Oz show.

Last May, Robinson decided to shut down due to COVID, but a few months later, she got some more good news.

"My agent in New York called and said someone wanted to license to me to a deal sight unseen and untasted," Robinson said.

The pandemic created a huge demand for snacks as people stayed home, and Robinson’s sweet puffed corn treat was exactly what QVC was looking for.

The network featured Carla's Crazy Crunch last week after making 14,000 bags.

"When God opens a door you walk through it," Robinson said.

Robinson is back to her full-time job as a neuromuscular therapist.

Robinson said by the end of this year, her snack should be in retail stores all over the country. She plans to give some proceeds to a recovery program for women.

For more information, visit the Facebook page here and you can find Carla’s Crazy Crunch on QVC here.