For some, snacks are more than a quick indulgence—they’re a taste of home, a piece of childhood, or a connection to a distant culture.
For others, they’re an adventure, an opportunity to explore new flavors and traditions.
At SNACK’D, located at 821 Chicago Ridge Mall in Chicago Ridge, snacks are both a nostalgic comfort and a thrilling discovery.
Founded by brothers Zain and Kumail Hussain, Snack’d is part of a growing franchise specializing in unique global snacks.
The Hussains purchased the franchise and now operate multiple locations, including Vernon Hills, University Park Mall, and Southlake Mall. The Chicago Ridge Mall location, which opened its doors on November 9, is their newest addition and has quickly become a vibrant hub for food lovers in the area.
The store bursts with energy, its colorful shelves packed with eye-catching treats from across the world.
From Coffee Crisp bars and Bounty bars with rich coconut fudge dipped in chocolate to unexpected finds like cheese-flavored Oreos, Maple Cinnamon Frosted Flakes, and Star Wars cotton candy, Snack’d offers a sensory experience that sparks joy and curiosity.
For Zain, Snack’d was inspired by his travels to 16 countries, where he discovered just how much snacks reflect the culture and creativity of different regions.
“The variety of snacks and flavors in other countries is incredible,” Zain said. “It inspired me to bring those experiences here, so people don’t have to travel or order online to enjoy them.”
Snack’d doesn’t just focus on sweet treats and chips—it’s also a destination for unique beverages like Oreo Coca-Colaand exotic sodas made with cane sugar, offering flavors not found in traditional American aisles. Customers can even find cereals with a twist, like the Maple Cinnamon Frosted Flakes, or browse through seasonal and collectible items like anime-themed merchandise and Turtle Chips Flamin’ Lime flavor.
The brothers take pride in tailoring their store to the community by listening to customer feedback. Kumail emphasized this approach, saying, “We listen to what our customers want, and we do our best to bring it to them. That connection with the community is what makes this so rewarding.”
The stocked shelves reflect the brothers’ commitment to variety and quality. Customers can find snacks from countries like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, France, and Germany, alongside nostalgic international travel staples like stroopwafels. Some snacks, like Oreo Coca-Cola, have become unexpected bestsellers. “I wasn’t sure how it would do, but it’s flying off the shelves,” Zain said with a laugh.
Starting Snack’d was a labor of love for the brothers, who saved carefully to fund their first major business venture. Despite their busy careers — Zain is preparing for law school, and Kumail is a practicing physician—they are deeply involved in the store’s operations.
“This has brought us closer as brothers,” Kumail shared. “Growing up, we fought like most siblings, but this experience has been incredible. It’s rewarding to build something meaningful together.”
The feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Zain shared one memorable story about a family whose children excitedly recognized a snack they had seen on TikTok.
“Seeing families come in and light up when they find something they recognize or have never tried before — that’s the best part. It reminds us why we started this,” he said.
Looking ahead, the brothers are planning to expand both their product offerings and physical locations, with a focus on creating even more spaces for people to connect over food.
“We’re just getting started,” Kumail said. “The goal is to keep evolving and offering something special for everyone who walks through our doors.”