{"id":9995,"date":"2025-12-09T09:29:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T14:29:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/2025\/12\/09\/why-cheez-it-brought-prince-cheddward-out-of-retirement\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T09:29:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T14:29:43","slug":"why-cheez-it-brought-prince-cheddward-out-of-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/news\/why-cheez-it-brought-prince-cheddward-out-of-retirement\/9995\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Cheez-It Brought Prince Cheddward Out of Retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Heather Taylor, Editor-in-Chief, PopIcon<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl<\/a> will be more than a football game this year. It\u2019s a homecoming celebration for Cheez-It\u2019s beloved, and previously retired, mascot Prince Cheddward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DRPgeNGjTat\/?hl=en&img_index=1<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

For readers with fuzzy memory banks, Prince Cheddward<\/a> debuted as the first-ever Cheez-It Citrus Bowl mascot in 2021. Though the orange-blooded heir was an instant hit with college football and snack fans alike, he was determined to expand his cheesy empire. But, as the Cheez-It lore shared via Instagram<\/a> goes, Prince Cheddward found no more bowl events left to conquer. He passed the football to Ched-Z, Cheez-It\u2019s younger mascot, and retreated into retirement in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

While retirement was good to Prince Cheddward, the people missed their former ruler. Maybe the changing of the guard happened too quickly? Ched-Z traveled to find the Prince and convince him of his true destiny. Only Prince Cheddward can restore the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl to its rightful glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s been a lot of online chatter about Prince Cheddward\u2019s unretirement, and with good reason. Prince Cheddward\u2019s much-anticipated return pairs him alongside Ched-Z, marking the first time the pair have ever been seen together. It also speaks to the power Cheez-It fans have when it comes to their cravings \u2014 and the brand\u2019s responsiveness to give them what they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What can fans expect ahead of Game Day? We chatted with Cara Tragseiler, senior brand director at Cheez-It<\/a>, for an insider\u2019s look at bringing Prince Cheddward out of retirement and the \u201cdouble the mascot entertainment\u201d sneak peek for the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

How does it feel to have not one but two<\/em> Cheez-It mascots and preparing for their homecoming game together?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Prince\u00a0Cheddward\u00a0enjoyed a well-earned, three-year retirement, but now that\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0back,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0excited to have both mascots sharing the field\u00a0for the first time ever. Together, he and Ched-Z will put their absurd energy on full display with a homecoming celebration fit for royalty, complete with a must-see mascot entrance and over-the-top in-game surprises that will keep fans entertained from kickoff to the final whistle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Was it difficult to bring a mascot out of retirement? Or did you suspect the character would eventually make a grand return?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DRI2E-7DRXr\/?img_index=4<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

While Prince Cheddward made the most of his retirement, taking up hobbies like pickleball, traveling the world and even searching for Princess Cheddward, eventually the growing wave of fan pleas and rally cries\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0be ignored.\u00a0It was clear fans\u00a0weren\u2019t\u00a0just asking; they were demanding his return! When\u00a0Cheez-It\u00a0<\/em>fans crave something, their passion has the power to make it happen, and the\u00a0prince\u2019s comeback to the\u00a0Cheez-It\u00a0<\/em>Citrus Bowl is proof of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

What is it about Prince Cheddward that makes him such a popular mascot with Cheez-It and college football fans?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Prince\u00a0Cheddward\u00a0instantly captivated\u00a0the college football community when he\u00a0debuted, ziplining\u00a0his way into the stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

His larger-than-life charisma\u00a0combined\u00a0with his love for\u00a0Cheez-It\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0college football\u00a0made him a cultural icon during\u00a0bowl\u00a0season.\u00a0Fans fell\u00a0in love with his over-the-top moments\u00a0and interactions\u00a0that added fun, excitement and a unique\u00a0Cheez-It\u00a0twist to every game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Was Prince Cheddward always meant to be a prince?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Could Prince\u00a0Cheddward\u00a0trade in his crown for a\u00a0king\u2019s?\u00a0Maybe someday.\u00a0But for now,\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0living his best\u00a0life\u00a0as\u00a0the perfect ruler of\u00a0the\u00a0Cheez-It\u00a0<\/em>Citrus Bowl, leading fans with wit, whimsy, and just the right amount of cheddar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\r\n

How did the Prince Cheddward’s look — a fine blend of regal meets cheesy — come about?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Prince\u00a0Cheddward\u2019s\u00a0design blends timeless royal elegance with\u00a0the brand\u2019s playful, absurd identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Inspired by classic Victorian storybooks, his look includes whimsical details like\u00a0a wheel of cheese for his head,\u00a0cheese boots,\u00a0epaulettes,\u00a0a\u00a0scepter\u00a0and an embroidered\u00a0robe. The toughest challenge was balancing\u00a0regal\u00a0sophistication with humor, but the result is a character who embodies everything\u00a0Cheez-It\u00a0fans love: fun, over-the-top personality and\u00a0100%\u00a0real\u00a0cheesy\u00a0goodness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

We know the fans love Prince Cheddward, but how do they feel about Ched-Z?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

@espn<\/a>

This happened during a timeout at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl \ud83d\ude4c #love<\/a> #football<\/a> #cfbpostseason<\/a> <\/p> \u266c original sound – ESPN<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote>