I only recently posted my extensive review of Whoppers history, so bringing up the brand again so soon might be a bit premature. But this new addition to the collection deserves mention – a 1982 Ralston Waffelos box that features “Free Whoppers Inside”.
You heard right; you got Whoppers in your Waffelos! Yee-haw, pardners!
As I pointed out back in February, there’s a rich history of confectionery tie-ins with kids cereals. Though I’ve uncovered many through my research, I’m sure there are many more waiting to be discovered. This Waffelos box with the Whoppers tie-in was certainly a surprise to me, and one I’d never heard of before. Just last week and out-of-the-blue, a fellow collector and pal offered this one up, and I was able to get it.
Originally on shelves back in 1982, I can’t help but ask the question I always do when I find these cereal/candy combinations: How many kids, looking for an extra-sweet bit of breakfast goodness, just crumbled those free Whoppers right onto their bowl of Waffelos cereal?
Here’s a look at the entirety of the box:
Ralston – Waffelos maple flavor – Free Whoppers trial-size – cereal box – 1982
Sure, there’s some stuff on there about a rebate for a hot beverage maker as well as coupons for Ralston’s Cookie Crisp and Waffelos themselves, but the main event is the Whoppers tie-in. Not only did you get a “free inside” sampling of Whoppers but also a cut-out coupon for 10-cents off of a large carton or bag:
Ralston – Waffelos maple flavor – Free Whoppers trial-size – cereal box – 1982
And there you have it; a pretty neat addition to my confectionery collection. I’m glad I was able to snag it, and that I could share it with you today. See you next time!
Super box! I love seeing ad characters hawking for somebody else’s product, like Waffelo Bill there on the back of your box.
I remember getting ‘malted milk balls’ inside the milk carton containers. Sort of an odd packaging idea but really held up nicely and didn’t damage the contents.