The Froot Thief - The Untold Story Behind That Viral Fruit Spaghetti

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Cornish, the spirited co-founder and “Head Bandit” behind The Froot Thief—a fruit snack brand that’s turning heads and winning lunchboxes. 

Jonathan’s story is one of grit, gratitude, and big flavor. We discuss how a family-run business gave him and his brother their first break over 25 years ago, and how that act of faith continues to shape their approach today. That foundation—combined with deep experience in retail and manufacturing—set the stage for a snack brand that’s anything but ordinary.

We dive into how The Froot Thief went from a bold idea during lockdown to landing on Costco shelves nationwide. What I love about this episode is how honest Jonathan is about the risks, the emotional journey, and the fulfillment that comes from building something you truly believe in. 

From production lines in South Africa to school lunches in the U.S., this is a story about purpose, play, and the power of trusting your instincts.

Here are a few highlights from our conversation:

* How a simple act of belief launched a 25-year entrepreneurial journey

 

* The Costco call that changed everything: “I’ll take every strand you can make”

 

* Creating a clean-label fruit snack that’s as fun as it is nutritious

 

* Navigating tariffs, manufacturing, and the realities of scaling internationally

 

* Why “fruit spaghetti” and 100 inches of fun are stealing the snack spotlight

 

Join me, Ramon Vela, as I listen to the episode and discover why this snack brand is not only worth trying but also worth supporting. If you’ve got kids, love fruit, or just want a great founder story, you won’t want to miss this one.

For more on The Froot Thief, visit: https://www.frootthief.com/

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