Beginning now through Sept. 30, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores employees will be putting their hearts into raising funds for 89 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by asking customers to purchase $1, $5 or $20 heart icons. Love’s raises additional funds by holding bake sales, pumping gas for tips, conducting in-store drawings and coordinating other…
Are You Prepared for FDA Tobacco Inspections?
As the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) begins to implement tobacco regulations, the tumult surrounding tobacco at retail shows no sign of abating. In fact, the future of cigarette retailing will depend largely on retailers themselves. This issue and more will be addressed at the National Advisory Group (NAG) conference, September 10-13th in Savannah,…
New Dates for the 2012 Sweets & Snacks Expo
One week after the National Restaurant Association announced new dates for its annual conference, the National Confectioners Association, sponsor of the SWweets & Snacks Expo, said that the dates of the 2012 EXPO have changed to May 8-10 in an effort to avoid G8 Summit activities happening later in the month. Last week, NATO announced…
Rutter’s Expands its Foodservice Menu
Rutter’s Farm Stores’ exceptionally diverse menu is expanding to include sloppy Joe sandwiches and chicken wings. Chicken wings are now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at most of Rutter’s 56 Central Pennsylvania convenience stores. The wings are available in quantities of 6 or 12 and in 3 flavors: original, hot and…
Driving Snacks Sales
While private label products are improving, quality and value remain critical components for all snacking options. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor “Yes, but…” That’s the all-too-common answer to the question of whether or not price promotions can drive snack sales in convenience stores. Yes, in a lousy economy people look for and respond to savings.…
Chocolate Crème Filled Cookies
Meiji announces its Hello Panda Chocolate Crème filled cookies are now available in a 28-count vend pack, perfect convenience store counters. Each 0.75-ounce bag of cookies features one of four bag designs, including tennis, rugby/football, table tennis and soccer designs that feature the Meiji Panda playing each sport. Great for hot weather, the product does…
Gourmet Popcorn
Oogie’s Snacks, makers of Oogie’s Gourmet Popcorn, launched new Kettle Corn flavors at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in May. Oogie’s Popcorn is best known for its savory pre-popped popcorn flavors made with distinctive cheese and spices. Now the two new Kettle Corn flavors— Orginal and Sticks & Stonez—are set to start shipping in August.…
Honey With A Touch of Vanilla
Honey Stinger, a manufacturer of honey-based nutritional products, announced a new twist on its critically acclaimed Stinger Waffle—vanilla. The original Stinger Waffle was suggested by Honey Stinger co-owner Lance Armstrong and quickly became a favorite among athletes and moms. The original and the new vanilla version both provide 160 calories of great-tasting, organic energy. Rather…
BP’s ampm Launches Snack Bites
“Those looking for a quality product at a value price will enjoy the Snack Bites offer,” says ampm president. The ampm convenience store chain has rolled out new Snack Bites across its network, offering customers a chicken or potato option. Designed as a value snack on their own, or as a tasty companion to the…
Flavor Burst
Retailers, get ready to fire up your salty snack sales with the zesty combination of Buffalo wing sauce and blue cheese surrounded by a crunchy pretzel exterior in new COMBOS Baked Snacks/Buffalo Blue Cheese Pretzel. This new, limited-edition item joins COMBOS’ seven permanent flavor combinations for just six months. This cheesy, crunchy snack is made…