Jack Link’s – By Ian Maguire, Planet Vending’s Roving Reporter and Technical Director
It’s not every day that eight boxes of beef snacks arrive on your doorstep. When Jack Link’s sent me a selection to sample, my three boys suddenly became much more interested in Dad’s work at Planet Vending.
The delivery included three MrBeast Beef Jerky flavours — Original, Sweet & Hot and Teriyaki — alongside Jack Link’s 100% Beef Biltong.
We weren’t starting entirely from scratch. I’d already been buying Sweet & Hot from our local Morrisons for the boys, so there was considerable enthusiasm for this particular assignment.
But beyond keeping the Maguire household happy, I wanted to answer a practical question: could these products earn a place in the vending offer?
With Ed, 14, Ollie, 16, and Will, 19, ready to help, it was time to open the packets.
Packaging That Gets Noticed
The MrBeast range makes a strong first impression. Bright colours, bold graphics and recognisable branding give the packs the sort of presence that matters when customers are choosing through a vending machine window.
MrBeast’s online following makes younger consumers an obvious audience for the collaboration. In our household, the name certainly attracted attention — although, as we discovered, flavour matters once the packet is open.
The 25g packs also feature Euro slots for hanging displays. Operators will, of course, need to check compatibility with their particular vending equipment.
The Biltong takes a more traditional approach. Its understated packaging and South African flag give it a distinct identity, suggesting a different experience from the sweeter MrBeast jerky.
Together, the products offer both visual impact and variety.
Three Jerky Flavours, Plenty to Like
I’m not normally a big jerky eater. Give me a medium-rare steak and I’m happy, but dried beef wouldn’t usually be my first choice.
The biggest surprise, therefore, was the texture. Across all three MrBeast flavours, the jerky was considerably more tender and easier to chew than I’d expected.
Original is an accessible introduction to the range. The seasoning leans towards sweetness, with a balanced flavour that makes it easy to enjoy. For customers trying jerky for the first time, it’s a sensible starting point.
Sweet & Hot was my favourite. There’s an initial sweetness followed by a gentle warmth that develops as you chew. The spice adds interest without overwhelming the beef, and the tender texture makes the combination particularly moreish.
This isn’t a snack that demands a cold drink after every mouthful. It’s a well-judged balance of sweetness and heat — and one that had me reaching for another piece.
Teriyaki was a close contender. Sweetness and a slightly tangy note give it plenty of character, without either dominating. If sweeter savoury snacks are your thing, this is well worth trying.
There wasn’t much separating the three. Each offers a recognisable flavour of its own, giving customers a reason to explore the range.
Biltong Offers Something Different
Jack Link’s 100% Beef Biltong deserves to be considered in its own right.
The thinner slices have a firmer, drier texture and take longer to chew than the jerky. Its seasoning is more savoury, with a pronounced salty note and less sweetness. I enjoyed that contrast, although my personal preference was for the softer jerky. Customers who favour a more traditional meat snack may well feel differently.
That distinction is useful for operators: the Biltong broadens the choice beyond three variations on a sweeter flavour profile.
The Family Verdict
The boys sampled all four products and scored them out of five. Sweet & Hot and Teriyaki finished joint top, each averaging 4.3.
Ed and Ollie awarded Sweet & Hot five out of five, agreeing with their dad. Ollie particularly liked its “subtle heat”.
Will gave Teriyaki top marks, describing it as having “the best flavour”.
Original averaged 3.7, while Biltong scored 2.7. The boys were less keen on its saltiness and firmer texture, reinforcing the impression that the sweeter, softer jerky was better suited to their tastes.
It’s a small family sample, but the split between our favourites makes a useful case for offering more than one flavour.
Ed also had a suggestion: could Jack Link’s introduce peri-peri or something really spicy?
Apparently, we now have a teenage product development consultant in the house. I suspect he’d accept payment in jerky.
Branding Opens the Door; Taste Brings People Back
Would MrBeast’s name influence a purchase?
Ed said yes. Ollie also said yes, adding “at first”. Will wasn’t influenced by the branding.
Ollie’s qualification captures the opportunity neatly. A familiar name can encourage someone to try a product; an enjoyable snack gives them a reason to buy it again.
There was also agreement on portion size: all three wanted more than the 25g pack provided. Having worked through the range myself, I understood why.
At the quoted recommended selling price of £1.75, Ollie and Will said they would spend their own money on a pack; Ed wouldn’t.
The larger 60g format, quoted at £3.60, provides another option and better value by weight. The right choice will depend on the location, customer expectations and operators’ commercial requirements.
Finding the Right Vending Location
The most useful response came from Will. He could see himself buying the jerky from a vending machine at the gym, where its protein content would influence his choice.
Ed and Ollie enjoyed the products but said they would still choose sweets or crisps from a machine.
That makes location an important consideration. Gyms, fitness centres, workplaces and leisure settings could provide promising opportunities among customers seeking a convenient protein snack.
For operators, a small trial would establish which flavours and formats work best with their own customers.
Planet Vending’s Verdict
Jack Link’s has put enjoyable products behind the eye-catching branding. The jerky impressed me with its tenderness and balanced flavours, while Biltong provided a distinctly savoury alternative.
Sweet & Hot gets my vote, but Will’s enthusiasm for Teriyaki shows there’s more than one potential winner.
Would I buy them again? Absolutely.
For vending operators looking to broaden their snack selection, this is a range worth exploring: strong presentation, appealing flavours and a useful option for customers looking for protein. They are available from most of the major wholesalers but get in touch with Daniel Madden here for more information.
Disclosure: This is a paid, commissioned review. Jack Link’s supplied the tasting samples. The views reflect the reviewer’s own experience.
If you’d like your product to be scrutinised by our team of critical reviewers… do get in touch! More reviews here.
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