DALLAS -- 7-Eleven Inc. has added Mini Tacos to its inventory of food meant to appeal to the growing Latino population and the grazers who snack all day, reported The Los Angeles Times.
More than 500 of the chain's stores in Southern California will feature the diminutive snacks, selling four for $1, which add to the growing trend of Latin-inspired foods, Margaret Chabris, director of corporate communications for 7-Eleven, told the newspaper.
"We've been in the fresh and hot food business for several years, and we've learned that there is a trend towards snacking, up to six to eight times a day," Chabris said.
The new menu item consists of petite corn tortillas filled with a shredded beef filling, green chilies, jalapeno peppers, cilantro, spices and other flavorings heated in rapid-cook ovens at the stores. Other varieties are in the works, said the report.
"The Hispanic population is booming, and Hispanic food crosses all ethnic lines," Chabris said.
In other company news, for the 13th consecutive year, Manitoba has been crowned the Slurpee Capital of the World for having the highest average number of Slurpee cups sold per store. But its challengers--second and third place Calgary and Detroit--are closing the gap, said 7-Eleven.
"It's always a close battle, but ultimately it's a friendly one in North America," said Tim Donegan, vice president for 7-Eleven Canada. "That said, we want to keep first place in Canada."
Based in Dallas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 9,300 7-Eleven stores in North America. Globally, there are more than 46,800 7-Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2011, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $76.6 billion.
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