SAN JOSE, Calif. -- 7-Eleven Inc. has recommended that its franchisees remove an energy drink called Cocaine from their store shelves, according to a report by The San Jose Mercury News.
The Dallas-based corporation made the decision on Monday after fielding a Mercury News reporter's inquiry, said the report.
We don't want you to carry this, a 7-Eleven representative told clerk Baljinder Hundal as they pulled the cans and two signs, one on the window next to the front door of the store.
Sales of the new [image-nocss] product were reportedly good. The drink attracted mostly young customers, especially girls, another clerk, clerk Johnny Zhang, told the newspaper. The store is two blocks east of Del Mar High School in San Jose.
A $2.19 can of Cocaine, produced by Las Vegas-registered Redux Beverages, claims to have 18 grams of sugar and 350% more caffeine than Red Bull, a popular energy drink which has 80 milligrams of caffeine. A cup of coffee may have from 115 to 175 milligrams of caffeine.
Controversy has followed Redux since it introduced the drink last month in New York and Los Angeles, the report said. San Jose parents who heard about the drink were not amused. Most were just as livid as I was, said Campbell resident Steve Bevan, who called 7-Eleven to complain. He said he was told that the company could not control what franchises sell.
But 7-Eleven spokesperson Margaret Chabris said the company has sent out the word recommending franchisees not carry the drink. They just didn't think that the product's name was appropriate for the image we're trying to portray, she told the paper. Our image is legal.
She added, It would not be in the best interest of the franchisee if the neighborhood is upset.
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