Hot Pockets are microwaveable turnovers usually containing cheese and meat. Hot Pockets are currently produced by Nestlé internationally.

There are over twenty varieties of Hot Pockets, including both breakfast and lunch/dinner varieties. Nestlé also offers Lean Pockets, Hot Pockets Croissant Crust (formerly called Croissant Pockets), Pot Pie Express, Hot Pocket Pizza Minis (originally called Hot Pockets Pizza-Snacks), Hot Pockets Subs, Hot Pockets Calzones, Hot Pockets Panini, and Hot Pockets Breakfast items which include the meat, egg and cheese varieties, and the Fruit Pastries.

Hot Pockets were invented by Paul Merage and David Merage in the 1970s. They founded the company Chef America Inc. and began producing Hot Pockets for profit in 1983. In 2002, the Merages sold Chef America to Nestlé for $2.6 billion. Initially only available in the United States, they are now sold by Nestlé in France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom under the Maggi brand. Quote from Nestlé 2005 Full Year Financials: “In Europe, the roll-out of Hot Pockets, small microwaveable frozen meals, is gaining momentum in France, Germany, Spain and the UK.” In Canada, Nestlé distributes some Hot Pockets products as part of the Stouffer’s Bistro or Lean Cuisine lines, although the Hot Pockets brand itself is absent from product packaging.

The Early Years

Now everyone knows the great-tasting sandwich with a tasty crust. The HOT POCKETS® brand sandwich. And while now they’re ready in a matter of minutes, their rise to fame took only slightly longer. Thanks to Chef America Inc.’s specially formulated, patented dough, classic filling combos and microwave-crisping sleeves, the ‘80s brought us a packaged food icon. Building on the convenience and quality consumers wanted, in 1987, we introduced LEAN POCKETS® brand to meet the needs of health-conscious consumers.

As this trend toward better for you lifestyles continues, so does the expansion of the LEAN POCKETS® sandwich line. Made with Whole Grain, Chef-Inspired and Stuffed Quesadilla options have made their way into our sandwiches and the busy on-the-go schedules they’re made to satisfy.

Wow does innovation taste good.

There are many good contributions in sandwich history. Over the past decade, in the frozen hand-held food and snacks category, we’re proud to have contributed quite a few of them ourselves. Here are a few of our faves: