DALLAS -- The Sour Patch Watermelon-flavored Slurpee is the newest flavor to hit the 7-Eleven Slurpee machine this summer. This new flavor, inspired by social media from fans already asking for and enjoying these products together, will be exclusively available at participating 7-Eleven stores throughout its 100 Days of Summer, beginning July 1.
The convenience store retailer has teamed up with Mondelēz International’s Sour Patch Kids to introduce the flavor with support from 7-Eleven’s long-time beverage partner, Fanta.
Fruit-flavored Slurpee flavors are the most popular among 7-Eleven customers and Sour Patch Kids are one of the top-selling candies at 7-Eleven.
“We’re always working to take Slurpee to the next level,” said Dennis Phelps, 7-Eleven vice president of foodservice. “And it’s summer, a time when watermelon flavor is a natural fit.”
According to Laura Gordon, vice president marketing and brand innovation, 7-Eleven listened to customers to develop this new offering. “New social listening tools give us the ability to interact directly with customers, learn what they want and quickly experiment with products and flavors they love. Our customers were already buying Sour Patch Kids with their Slurpee drinks, and drinking Slurpees through sour straws--so we know Slurpee fans will love it.”
“The new Sour Patch Watermelon-flavored Slurpee lets us bring our sour-and-sweet experience to consumers in a whole new way. We know teens love Sour Patch Kids as well as Slurpee, so this is the perfect collaboration to delight our consumers outside of our traditional candy experience,” said Tara Apisa, senior brand manager of U.S. candy and Halls at Mondelēz International.
Slurpee and Sour Patch are also taking the fun online, making an appearance in the upcoming digital movie musical Summer Forever, from Relativity Digital Studios.
And the “Sour Patch Slurpee Selfie Challenge” (#spkslurpeeselfie) fan campaign will launch in mid-July where fans will have the chance to show how they eat their Sour Patch Kids and drink their Sour Patch Watermelon-flavored Slurpee.
Sour Patch Watermelon Slurpee is available exclusively at participating 7-Eleven stores nationwide. The cost varies by location and size of the drink, ranging from $1.20 for a small to $1.70 for an extra-large.
Mondelez, with 2014 revenue of $34 billion, is based in Northfield, Ill. It is a world leader in biscuits, chocolate, gum, candy, coffee and powdered beverages, with billion-dollar brands such as Oreo, LU and Nabisco biscuits; Cadbury, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Milka chocolate; Trident gum; Jacobs coffee and Tang powdered beverages.
Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc. operates, franchises or licenses nearly 10,500 7-Eleven convenience stores in North America. Globally, there are more than 56,000 7-Eleven c-stores in 16 countries. During 2013, 7-Eleven c-stores generated total worldwide sales close to $84.5 billion.
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