A single Cheeto shaped like Charizard, the fire-breathing Pokémon icon, has sparked an internet sensation, drawing massive bids and proving that rare snacks can be worth real money. The snack became an instant viral sensation, with 60 bidders driving up its price from a modest starting point to $88,000.
The sale reflects a bigger shift in how the internet assigns value to objects. Rare finds can tap into nostalgia, meme culture, and collector hype, making even unexpected items valuable. This phenomenon is not new, with previous examples including an Harambe-shaped Cheeto sold for $99,900 and a McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce Packet selling for $14,700.
The lesson lies in the power of artificial scarcity and internet virality. The exclusivity of ‘Cheetozard’ combined with its online presence makes it a status symbol and a pop culture artifact. Owning something like this isn’t just about having a snack; it’s about having a conversation piece and an investment. This trend suggests that the line between memes and real-world value is blurring, and snacks are no longer just food but entertainment, branding, and cultural currency.
The sale of ‘Cheetozard’ may seem like a one-off internet joke, but it reflects a broader shift in how we assign value to objects. The person who spent $88,000 on the single Cheeto’s true intentions remain unknown, but one thing is clear: even a cheese puff can be a high-value asset in 2025.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniegravalese/2025/03/06/cheetozard-a-pokmon-shaped-cheeto-sold-for-88000-heres-why