DALLAS -- 7-Eleven Inc. has kicked off its "Flavors of Summer" campaign with Slurpee Lite Fanta Sugar-Free Mango, with 50% fewer calories (20) than a regular eight-fluid-ounce Slurpee Fanta Wild Cherry (66). This marks the first Slurpee-branded, sugar-free drink and the first sugar-free frozen beverage to be available at participating 7-Eleven stores nationwide.
Formulated by Fanta and sweetened with Splenda (sucralose), the new Slurpee Lite drinks are available exclusively at 7-Eleven stores and are part of a new platform of drinks with reduced calories and no sugar to broaden appeal.
Typically, limited-release Slurpee flavors are kept secret until they become available in the stores. This year, the retailer has announced when they will become available.
The Slurpee Lite Fanta Sugar-Free Mango flavor is the first of 7-Eleven's lineup of six summer flavors in both Slurpee Lite and Slurpee in addition to everyday flavors.
The Slurpee summer flavor lineup includes:
- May: Slurpee Lite Fanta Sugar-Free Mango.
- June: Slurpee Lite Fanta Sugar-Free Mango; Slurpee Fanta Watermelon Lime.
- July: Slurpee Lite Fanta Sugar-Free Strawberry Banana; Slurpee Fanta Lemon Creme.
- August: Slurpee Lite Fanta Sugar-Free Cherry Limeade; Slurpee Fanta Orange Xplosion.
The Slurpee Lite Fanta Sugar-Free Mango flavor will be available at participating 7-Eleven stores through June, after which Fanta Sugar-Free Strawberry Banana will replace it as the featured Slurpee Lite flavor in July. Fanta Sugar-Free Cherry Limeade follows in August. Other exclusive Slurpee Lite flavors by Fanta will continue to be introduced at 7-Eleven stores in the coming months.
"We are launching 'Flavors of Summer' with our first Slurpee Lite sugar-free flavor, and it tastes just as great as the other flavors we have planned for the Slurpee season," said Laura Gordon, 7-Eleven vice president for brand innovation. "We tested several of our new sugar-free flavors earlier this year, and they all got rave reviews. Now, everyone in the family can enjoy a summer Slurpee drink including those looking for a sugar-free, reduced-calorie option."
The sugar-free flavor is ideal for consumers who either have been unable to enjoy a Slurpee drink at all or without careful dietary planning.
"7-Eleven carries lots of fresh foods, beverages and snack items for people looking for better-for-you options," said Patsy Ross, 7-Eleven's registered dietitian. "Our stores have something for everyone whether they're counting calories, fat or sugar grams. Slurpee Lite offers a beverage alternative to consumers concerned about sugar intake and calorie consumption, whether for dieting reasons or a medical necessity, such as diabetes."
In a separate promotion, 7-Eleven is offering free 7.11-ounce Slurpees on May 23 between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at participating stores nationwide, the company said on Facebook.
7-Eleven, Dallas, operates, franchises or licenses more than 9,200 7-Eleven stores in North America. Globally, there are more than 46,000 7-Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2011, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of approximately $76.6 billion.
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