The results of CStore Decisions’ Hot New Products Contest are in. Earlier this summer, supplier and services companies across the c-store industry submitted their latest launches to contend for a spot in our Hot New Products Awards. Our panel of retailer judges reviewed each submission using a detailed point system, weighing factors such as innovation, appearance/packaging and overall potential for success. Below are the winners and the runners up across 16 c-store categories and subcategories. Stay tuned to Cstoredecisions.com and to our November print issue for more information about — and photos of — these winning products.
Candy
Winner: The Hershey Co. — Reese’s Oreo Peanut Butter Cup
Runner Up: The Hershey Co. — Shaq-A-Licious Slams
Beverages
Winner: The Coca-Cola Co. — BODYARMOR FIT
Runner Up: Nutrabolt — C4 Performance Energy Cereal Killer
Functional Beverages
Winner: GoGo squeeZ — GOGO Fruit Smoothie Protein
Runner Up: GoGo squeeZ — GOGO Dairy Protein
Dispensed Beverages
Winner: The Coca-Cola Co. — Powerade Xtra Sour on Coca-Cola Freestyle
Runner Up: Frazil — Frazil Rock n’ Roll
Cigars
Winner: Swedish Match Cigars Inc. — White Owl Red, White & Berry
Runners Up (tie):
Inter Continental Cigar Corp. — Blues Cigarillos 2-Pack
Swedish Match Cigars Inc. — Game Summer Blend
Pouches
Winner: Altria — on! PLUS
Runner Up: Mojo Energy Pouches — Mojo Energy Pouches Sour Apple
Snacks
Winner: Carl Buddig and Co. — Hidden Valley Ranch, Ranch Seasoned Dippers
Runner Up: General Mills — Chex Mix M&M’s
Sweet Snacks / Bakery
Winners (tie):
J&J Snack Foods — ¡Hola! Churros Birthday Cake Flavored Filled Churro Bites
Mondelēz International — Oreo Muffins
Runner Up: Prairie City Bakery — Cinnamon Crumble Coffee House Pound Cake
Snacks / Soft Pretzels
Winner: Prairie City Bakery — Bulk Pretzels
Runner Up: J&J Snack Foods — SuperPretzel Protein Pretzel
Meat Snacks
Winners (tie):
Archer Meat Sticks — Cowboy Cut Old Fashioned Beef Jerky
Carl Buddig and Co. — Ginger Teriyaki YUMBO
Runner Up: Carl Buddig and Co. — Pepperoni Flavored Sausage & Cheddar Cheese Smoke Stack
Foodservice
Winner: Core-Mark International — Cinnayum
Runner Up: McLane Co. — Prendisimo Duo Slice Pizza
Chicken
Winners (tie):
Tyson Foods/ Tyson Foodservice — Tyson Pitmaster Fully Cooked Naturally Smoked Sweet Heat Dry Rub Chicken Thigh Pieces
Tyson Foods/ Tyson Foodservice — Tyson Pitmaster All Natural* Fully Cooked Naturally Smoked Bone-In Chicken Wing Sections
Runner Up: Chester’s Chicken — Bone-In Wings
Hispanic Foods
Winner: Ruiz Foods Inc. — El Monterey Beef Birria Empanadas
Runner Up: Home Market Foods — Spicy Tequila Lime Chicken RollerBites
Foodservice Equipment & Merchandisers
Winner: Hussmann Corp. — Hussmann FS-OB In-Counter Merchandiser
Runner Up: Eversys — Legacy+
General Merchandise
Winner: BEST GRIPS. EVER. — O Sh*t Grip
Technology & Services
Winner: Fintech — Fintech SBT
Runner Up: OPIS, A Dow Jones Company — OPIS LocationPro
