Sour Patch Kids Maker Mondelez Is Suing Ryan Trahan’s Candy Brand Joyride Over Its Sour Smacks
Mondelez alleges Joyride’s Sour Smacks copy the Sour Patch Kids look in a new federal suit. YouTuber Ryan Trahan co-owns Joyride, which hasn’t responded yet.
Ryan Trahan once said he wanted his candy brand to beat Sour Patch Kids on Instagram.
Now the company that owns Sour Patch Kids is taking Joyride to court.
What Mondelez alleges
The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by Mondelēz Global LLC and Mondelez Canada Inc. The defendant is Project 7, Inc., which does business as Joyride. Here’s what the complaint claims.
- Joyride sold sour gummies starting around 2020 under the name “Sour Fruit Gummies,” in packaging that looked different from Sour Patch Kids
- In 2025, Joyride relaunched them as “Sour Smacks,” with kid-shaped gummies and yellow-and-green packaging that Mondelez says copies its own
- Mondelez says the two candies are often sold at the same retailers, sometimes side by side, and that the look confuses shoppers
- Mondelez says it repeatedly asked Joyride to stop before suing, and that Joyride refused
“What Joyride is doing is theft. It is intentional and deliberate. And it is unlawful,” the complaint says.
What Joyride is doing is theft. It is intentional and deliberate. And it is unlawful.The WellWham perspective
Where Ryan Trahan comes in
The complaint alleges, on information and belief, that Joyride hired Trahan in or around February 2024 as its “Co-Owner and Chief Creative Officer.” Food Dive and the Chicago Sun-Times both describe him as a co-owner.
The suit quotes a Joyride video in which Trahan said, “my goal is for my candy brand, Joyride, to pass Sour Patch Kids in Instagram followers.” Mondelez points to that campaign as part of its case. It also calls Joyride “a well-funded, private equity-backed candy company,” and says Joyride disclosed a $30 million funding round in May 2025. That description is Mondelez’s.
What Mondelez wants
The complaint lists seven counts, including federal trademark infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition, federal dilution, and claims under Illinois law. It asks for:
- A permanent injunction barring Joyride from using the packaging and gummy designs Mondelez says infringe
- An order for Joyride to hand over infringing packaging and materials for destruction
- Damages, Joyride’s profits and treble damages, plus punitive damages under state law and attorneys’ fees
A Joyride spokesperson did not respond to Food Dive’s request for comment. The Sun-Times reports that neither company responded to it.
What’s in the bag
Sour Smacks are chewy fruit gummies in a 3.5 oz bag. The bag says “60% Less Sugar,” which is Joyride’s own comparison claim. On Joyride’s site, a 6-pack is $30 and a 10-pack is $45.
Our read: big candy is guarding its shelf
This is our analysis. Lower-sugar candy brands have grown by sitting right next to the classics and looking just as fun. That’s the whole pitch. This suit is about where fun ends and copying begins, at least in Mondelez’s view. Mondelez has been busy in better-for-you snacks itself, including a majority stake in Undercover Snacks. A creator with a huge audience makes this fight more visible than most packaging disputes.
Reality check
Nothing here has been proven. A complaint tells one side of the story, and Joyride hasn’t filed a response. “60% Less Sugar” is a brand comparison, not a health claim, so check the nutrition label if sugar matters to you. If you like Sour Smacks, the lawsuit doesn’t change what’s in the bag today.
The close
Trahan wanted to pass Sour Patch Kids on Instagram.
Now the two brands will be facing off in court.
Disclosure: WellWham has no affiliate links in this story.
Sources
- Complaint, Mondelēz Global LLC and Mondelez Canada Inc. v. Project 7, Inc., d/b/a Joyride, filed November 2, 2026, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: gerbenlaw.com (PDF)
- Chicago Sun-Times, “Mondelez sues candy brand Joyride over Sour Patch Kids dupe,” November 3, 2026: suntimes.com
- Food Dive, “Mondelēz sues YouTuber’s Joyride candy brand for copying Sour Patch Kids,” November 4, 2026: fooddive.com
- Joyride, Sour Smacks product page and prices, accessed November 4, 2026: joyridesweets.com
Brand information: Mondelēz v. Joyride complaint, N.D. Ill.
