New Food, Beverage Offerings at NACS Show Bring Fresh Flavors, Innovations

New flavors were in abundance on the tradeshow floor at the 2024 NACS Show in Las Vegas in October. 

Here are some highlights in food and beverages... 

Alexandria, Louisiana-based Krispy Krunchy Chicken’s new nuggets, which will launch February 2025, are made for dipping in one, or more, of six sauces: Honey Racha, Ranch, Honey Mustard, Barbecue, Sweet and Sour and Zesty Buffalo. Customers will be able to dip or squeeze using the Heinz containers.

Frisco, Texas-based Ruiz Foods’ Tornados (left) now come in two new flavors: Ultimate Beef Nachos and Chicken Chile Verde. In January, a third flavor, Bacon and Cheddar Loaded Potato Skins, will be sold. Also in January, Stuffed Nachos (right) will debut.

PFS Brands, Holts Summit, Missouri, has a new Sliced Margarine Croissant that features folded layers of pastry dough and a slightly crispy and flaky crust. The croissants come frozen and pre-sliced. Shelf life is 365 days frozen, five days ambient.

Hunt Brothers Pizza, Nashville, is testing two new flavors: Pork Smoked Stack (left) and Chicken BBQ. One will be released in fall 2025, the other at a date to be determined.

F’real, owned by Buffalo, New York-based Rich Products, is introducing Energy Freeze, a new line of hydrating, blend-it-yourself frozen beverages. The flavors are Blue Raspberry and Strawberry Watermelon, and each contains 100 milligrams of caffeine from green coffee extract for a burst of energy. Each blend has a coconut water base. Both flavors will join f’real’s core lineup of seven milkshakes, three whole-fruit smoothies and rotating limited-edition offerings.

Boston-based Smoodi has three new flavors: Strawberry Banana, Peanut Protein and Magical Mocha. The company also has added Organic Agave Nectar as a sweetener option.

A new fully cooked beef burger patty from Cargill, Wayzata, Minnesota, is 100% Angus beef. This new product for c-stores comes frozen.

Bellarico Pizza from Alive & Kickin’ Pizza Crust, Green Bay, Wisconsin, is a fully topped frozen pizza. Seven-inch and 12-inch pies are available in cheese, pepperoni, supreme and breakfast. Sausage and three-meat is available in 7-inch only, and four-meat is available in 12-inch only. The pizza features self-rising dough.

Temple, Texas-based McLane Fresh’s new Better Case Bakery is a curated on-the-go bakery program featuring top-selling items like doughnuts, premium cookies and muffins. Doughnut flavors and offerings include White Iced Raspberry, Chocolate Iced Yeast Ring, White Iced Sprinkled Cake Ring doughnut, Glazed Old Fashioned and Blueberry doughnut holes. Cookies include Chocolate Chunk, Candy, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut and Peanut Butter. There also is an Apple Fritter, Cinnamon Roll, Brownie and several muffin options: Blueberry Crumb Yogurt Tulip, Chocolate Chip Tulip Yogurt and a custard-filled Chocolate Iced Long John.