Thirteen years after the energy drink market emerged in the U.S. with the introduction of Red Bull, the category remains popular with consumers, who are willing to pay higher prices in a difficult economy for an extra jolt.  But while Mintel reported in July 2009 that the energy drink market had climbed to an estimated…

Marathon energy bars offer the sustained energy and nutrients needed for a busy life. As a low glycemic index food, Marathon energy bars provide the brain and working muscles with long-lasting energy and come in five flavors: Chewy Chocolatey Peanut, Chewy Peanut Butter, Crunchy Dark Chocolate, Crunchy Honey & Toasted Almond and Crunchy Multi-grain. Marathon…

Sushi in the c-store cooler? Burritos in the food warmer? Mediterranean sandwiches on the menu? Exotic foods are here to stay and becoming more mainstream, spicing up the foodservice section and appealing to a wide audience. With the growth of the Internet consumers today are exposed to new foods they may not be used to…

HBI International offers Juicy Bluntarillo Quad Wrapped Cigars, which are smaller than a blunt, but bigger than a cigarillo. The Bluntarillos have four wraps because the flavor of a cigar is mostly held in its wrapper. By using four, this cigar has four times the flavor. Plus some of the wraps can be peeled off…

McDonald’s has it. Dunkin’ Donuts has it. And if your c-store doesn’t have it, you’re likely losing customers to the QSR down the street. In 2010, featuring a value meal with your foodservice offering is essential to driving new customers through your doors and securing them as regular visitors.  C-stores with foodservice programs are facing…

AriZona Beverage Co. has launched RESCUE Water, a new line of enhanced waters filled with a proprietary blend of Twinlab vitamins and antioxidants. It comes in four flavors, each of which corresponds to a different function. Berry Blend helps the body to relax; Lemon-Lime assists in supplying energy; Orange Citrus supports liver function so the…

With healthcare capturing so many headlines these days, the health and beauty category (HBC) has taken on added importance in the c-store set. Fueling much of the growth: smaller package sizes that save shoppers money and stimulate impulse sales. Medford, Ore.-based Minute Market has jumpstarted its HBC sales by mixing in smaller-sized packaging, according to…

Plan ahead for Halloween. PEEPS are dressing up in chocolate for upcoming holidays like Halloween. PEEPS Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Pumpkins offer orange marshmallow on the inside and are drenched in milk or dark chocolate on the outside. Research indicates that consumers love PEEPS combined with chocolate. Just Born’s complete Halloween lineup includes PEEPS Chocolate Covered…

C-store executives charged with marketing to the Hispanic community may be chagrined to find that there is, when all is said and done, no Hispanic community. Instead, there are many Hispanic communities. According to Chicago-based Doyle Research Associates Inc., “Hispanics possess many cultural similarities like common language, Spaniard ancestry and common religion. On the other…

YoCream introduces new tropical tremor flavors under its Jolly Rancher Frozen Beverage brand: Pomegranate, Wild Berry, Mango, Fruit Punch and Sour Green Apple. The exciting new beverages are boldly flavored, less sweet, a little tart and intensely colored. Available for frozen, carbonated and noncarbonated applications, the syrups are packaged in shelf stable bags with a…