For sisters Maria Fernanda (“Mafe”) and Maria Carolina (“Coco”) Romer, food has always been tied to memory. Growing up in Venezuela, the flavors of their mother’s kitchen were always present. When they moved to the U.S., they wanted a way to keep those traditions alive and share them with others.
A Taste of Home, Made Convenient
In 2021, they launched their first venture under the name Toast-It, starting with frozen arepas that could be ready in just minutes. The idea was simple but powerful: authentic flavors, made convenient enough for everyday meals.
“Our products are nostalgic,” Mafe explained. “They’re inspired by the foods Latin American communities in the U.S. miss from back home, and we wanted them to be accessible without sacrificing authenticity.”
Their passion for making Latin staples accessible soon caught national attention when they appeared on Shark Tank. KIND Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzsky invested in the brand, helping them introduce their products to a wider audience and build momentum for their next phase of growth.
Today, Kiosco’s portfolio has expanded to include not just arepas, but also Chia Arepas, Yuca Arepas, and Colombian Pandebono Bites, all gluten-free and made with clean, simple ingredients.
Why the Rebrand
Toast-It was a strong introduction to the market, but the sisters soon realized the name did not reflect their full vision. It tied the brand to a single product format and an English word that didn’t fully connect to their cultural roots.
“We wanted the brand to really convey the authenticity of the product,” said Mafe. “Toast-It was an English word, and it restricted us to items that needed to be toasted. With Kiosco, we can expand into new products that represent Latin American culture more fully.”
The new name, Kiosco, draws from the open-air kiosks found across Latin America, places where families gather and food brings communities together. The rebrand gave them the opportunity to elevate their packaging design and ensure every touchpoint reflected their heritage and story.
Finding the Right Packaging Partner
As the company grew, so did the demands on its packaging. Retailers sometimes confirmed orders just weeks before products were set to hit shelves, leaving little room for error. The sisters needed packaging that could keep up with those timelines and still reflect their new, more vibrant brand identity.
Having already worked with ePac during their Toast-It days, they knew where to turn. The relationship made the transition to Kiosco seamless. Whether the order was small or scaling quickly for a retailer launch, ePac’s digital printing gave them the flexibility to respond without over-ordering or compromising quality.
“Being a small business, ePac provided us with the flexibility to print in a short amount of time, which is exactly what you need when opportunities come up,” Mafe said.
Just as important was consistency. Each run needed to capture the exact colors and details that defined their new branding.
“Since we started working with ePac, we trust them 100% with quality. With digital printing, the colors always match our designs exactly. That consistency is so important when you’re building brand presence.”
Looking Ahead
Kiosco is now focused on expanding into Texas and the Northeast, regions with large Latin American communities that share the same nostalgia for traditional foods. For every new product launch, packaging will continue to be part of how they tell their story.
From their early days as Toast-It to their rebrand as Kiosco, the Romer sisters have grown a brand rooted in heritage and shaped by modern convenience. What began as a way to bring the taste of home back into their own lives has become a company ready to share authentic Latin flavor with families across the U.S.
