Foxtrot brings the beef: Foxtrot is bringing a taste of Chicago to your snack stash—again. After the launch of its Chicago hot dog chips, the brand is back with another Windy City classic in chip form: Italian beef. Based in Chicago, Foxtrot knows a thing or two about hometown flavors. The brand began testing the chips in 2023, and now available, they are loaded with flavors of beef, au jus and giardiniera. It’s like a trip to your favorite sandwich shop, minus the napkins. —Rachel Gignac
New products a go-go: In many parts of the world, convenience stores are the shops of last resort: cigarettes, sodas and laundry detergent. But in South Korea, you might find single malt whiskies, $800 French wines, 24K gold bars, shampoo and conditioner refill stations, TVs or a dine-in instant noodle bar with more than 200 varieties of ramyon. A customer might be able to pick up a package, wash and dry their clothes or sign up for a new debit card. And the c-stores are best known for their numerous feats of “instant-izing” food, a process in which nearly every conceivable dish is turned into a packaged meal: spaghetti, Japanese udon, fried rice in a tube. These have turned c-stores into a $25 billion industry in South Korea, and those food products are churned out at a staggering pace: up to 70 new food items hit the shelves each week, effectively offering a live feed of South Korean tastes, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times. —Greg Lindenberg
C-store bound: Convenience stores in Japan are now becoming travel hot spots, according to Travel and Tour World. “What was once viewed as a mundane stop for drinks or snacks has now become a must-see destination for visitors,” the publication reported. The viral influence of TikTok videos showcasing various c-store foods, including unique street food snacks has elevated this phenomenon. “Convenience stores in Japan are not just places to grab a quick snack; they are cultural landmarks in their own right,” Travel and Tour World said. —Diane Adam
Turkey touchdown: Wawa is partnering with the Philadelphia Eagles’ running back Saquon Barkley for a new commercial as football season kicks off. The spot, which dropped Tuesday, features Barkley handing out hoagies at the homes of Philly fans, the Wawa, Pennsylvania-based convenience-store retailer said. Barkley has also launched an exclusive, limited-time Wawa hoagie, “The Saquon.” The sandwich features oven-roasted turkey, American cheese, lettuce, onions and spicy mustard. —Hannah Hammond
For kids of all ages: Hess Corp., a global, integrated energy company and former gasoline and convenience-store retailer, released its newest trucks in its Mini Toy Truck Collection, according to a Facebook post. This year’s 5-in-1 set includes the 1967 “red velvet” Tanker Truck. The collection features more than 90 lights, 28 free-rolling wheels, articulating trailers, a pull-back racing motor, chrome accents and more. —Diane Adam
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