14 Brands That Fooled Around on April 1

CHICAGO -- April Fools’ Day falling on Easter Sunday didn’t stop some convenience-store retailers and suppliers from engaging in the traditional annual high jinks.

Here are some of the industry-related companies that tried to make you believe their “fake news” this year …

Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc. announced the debut of the “Slurpet,” a Slurpee for pets, including flavors from Tuna Tornado to Worm Whip.

Kansas City, Mo.-based Hostess Brands LLC introduced Chili Lime Burrito Twinkies, “delicious at breakfast time or snack time, but actually not at any time because this is ... an April Fools' joke.”

Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg rolled out a frosted Sriracha-flavored version of its Pop-Tarts, saying “Kiss your mouth’s feelings goodbye.”

Altoona, Pa.-based c-store retailer Sheetz Inc. unveiled a Savory Bacon Swiss and Boom Boom Sauce-filled chocolate bunny. “Hop in while supplies last,” it said.

Reese’s, a brand of Hershey, Pa.-based Hershey’s, gave us “the world’s first sniffable tweet,” asking, “Raise your hand if your screen has a nose smudge now.”

Holts Summit, Mo.-based PFSBrands introduced its "newest product," hand-breaded gummy snacks.                                                 

“After years and years of research and development,” Houston-based Phillips 66’s 76 brand offered up a square twist on its once-iconic round antenna ball.

Nashville-based Hunt Brothers Pizza introduced a new item, a taco in a pepperoni-pizza shell. Said one commenter: “You realize you’re going to have to actually make this now, right?”

Bethlehem, Pa.-based Just Born Quality Confections announced that it has selected the Energizer Bunny as the new Peeps celebrity creative director.

On April 2, Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo Inc.’s Mountain Dew announced that the bottled version of Mountain Dew Baja Blast is making a comeback this summer in one place only, The Baja Bungalow. It features a “187,000,000,000,000,000,000-gallon saltwater tank with sharks, maybe crabs and weird things that touch your foot and freak you out.”

Waterloo, Wis.-based Van Holten’s Pickles promised Pickle-Flavored Peeps are “coming soon.”

Midland, Texas-based Jack’s Convenience Stores came up with some interesting candy and wine pairings. One example: Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs and cabernet sauvignon.

“Gone are the days of foggy lenses from steamy noods,” said Gardena, Calif.-based Original Cup Noodles, unveiling its optical illusion. “These glasses will blow steam away with its sleek fan and give an ‘always-with-you’ fork for easy on-the-go Cup Noodles consumption.”

“Inspired by the growing trend of LEDs in car washes, Washworld would like to announce that instead of car washes, we will now be manufacturing LED bathtubs,” the De Pere, Wis.-based company said.

And check out these foodservice-related April Fools' entries at CSP Daily News’ sister publication, Restaurant Business.