Anheuser-Busch introduced an innovative canned version of a popular Mexican beer cocktail. A chelada is a way to serve beer in Mexico by combining light beer, fresh lime juice and a
pinch of salt in a glass. This version is bursting with flavor and mildly spicy with Tajin and lemon citrus added to the mix. Our testers liked the taste and called it a refreshing summer drink.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: CHELADAS
Bud Light Chelada Tajin Chile Limon, Anheuser-Busch
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: FLAVORED MALT
Twisted Tea Pineapple, Boston Beer Co.
Twisted Tea Pineapple is a smooth hard iced tea made with real brewed black tea and a tropical twist of pineapple flavor. Noncarbonated and naturally sweetened with a 5 percent ABV, it’s designed to be “your favorite iced tea with a juicy twist.” According to the company, the beverage not only drives 24-ounce can sales, but also brings a new drinker demographic into flavored malt beverages in convenience. Our tasters like its “vibrant” flavor.
Cantaritos By Jarritos boasts the great flavor of Jarritos Mexican soda that has been around since 1950, but also contains 5 percent ABV. The beloved Latino soda brand is known as the “official drink of tacos” and this alcoholic version is authentic with a buzz. Presented in glass bottles that have a nostalgic look, Pineapple and Fruit Punch scored the highest with our testers.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: HARD SODA
Cantaritos By Jarritos – Hard Soda
Variety Pack, Anheuser-Busch
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: SELTZER
High Noon Tequila Variety Pack,
E&J Gallo Winery
Chex Mix Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars are a delicious combination of Chex pieces, pretzels, peanut butter and chocolate. They are a chewy on-the-go bar perfect for after school or as a quick snack, each one individually wrapped. Our judges cited the right combination of textures and crunch. Additional high marks were given for smart packaging.
ALTERNATIVE SNACKS: BARS
Chex Mix Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars,
General Mills
Consumers are continuously looking for new healthy snacks to try. Packaged for on-the-go consumption, Cranberry Sweeties fill the better-for-you niche. Unlike common cranberries, these are infused with a flavorful juice blend, resulting in a unique, flavor-packed fruit snack. They could be a great add-on to foodservice cold cases in convenience stores.
ALTERNATIVE SNACKS: FRUIT
Cranberry Sweeties, Oh Snap! Pickling LLC
Twizzlers Gummies are a new twist on an all-time favorite. A variety of colorful, smooth and chewy gummy pieces come packaged in an eye-catching 7-ounce bag. Their tasty flavor combinations include grape and cherry, lemonade and cherry, and peach and cherry. According to our panelists, each bag contains approximately 35 “nice and soft pieces with great flavor.” The gummy category is outpacing the sweets category, The Hershey Co. noted, and Twizzlers Gummies have successfully reached a younger, incremental consumer.
CANDY
Twizzlers Gummies, The Hershey Co.
Buck’A Buzz THC gummies allow consumers to test out the product without having to shell out a large amount of cash. The $5 price point for the five-pack of gummies is value priced. Made in the United States and third-party lab tested in the U.S., each gummy contains 10 milligrams of THC. The manufacturer says these gummies are fully legal and comply with federal laws for products that contain 0.3 percent THC or less. Our testers liked the price point and that the package size easily fits in your pocket.
CBD
Buck’A Buzz,
J and A Consumable Products
Dressing beer with salt is a long-time tradition that originally came from Mexico. Cucumber Chili Lime Beer Salt from Twang gives consumers the opportunity to add Latino flavor to their favorite beer or hard seltzer. This niche item is a great add-on to an alcoholic beverage sale, and a cross-cultural item. The beer salt is available for merchandising on the front counter and on eye-catching clip strips on cooler doors.
EDIBLE GROCERY
Cucumber Chili Lime Beer Salt,
Twang Partners LLC
Tyson Foods introduces a new way to eat breakfast. At just 3.5 inches long, the Jimmy Dean Sausage, Egg & Cheese Roll-Up is easy to hold and does not fall apart while being consumed. Made with a flaky biscuit, the roll-up contains a mix of Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage, real eggs and cheese. It offers quick heating and a four-hour hold time. Our panelists gave it high marks for flavor, portability and convenience.
FOODSERVICE: BREAKFAST
Jimmy Dean Sausage, Egg & Cheese Roll-Up,
Tyson Foods
The public’s enthusiasm for a good chicken sandwich has not slowed down. Chester’s New Everything Fried Chicken Sandwich is a marinated and double-breaded whole breast filet that is topped with Chester’s tangy sauce and crunchy crinkle-cut dill pickles, and served on a Martin potato roll. Chester’s relaunched this fan favorite with some tweaks and the result is a juicier, more flavorful version of the original. Our testers agreed it is moist and flavorful.
FOODSERVICE: LUNCH
Chester’s New Everything
Fried Chicken Sandwich,
Chester’s Chicken
This cheesy flatbread is easy to bake and pull apart along precut impressions to separate into soft, individual sticks or serve as a shareable snack that consumers pull apart themselves. It is ideal for c-stores that want to serve a delicious, fresh-baked snack but are challenged by limited labor and space. Topped with mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, parmesan, Romano and asiago cheeses, and sprinkled with Italian herbs, the flatbread can be paired with dipping sauces. Our testers felt that the taste of this product is a cut above traditional c-store fare.
FOODSERVICE: SNACK
Cheesy Pull Apart Flatbread,
Rich Products Corp.
Durable yet lightweight, Anchorware Reusables are microwaveable and dishwasher-safe containers that have one-step push button lids. These containers deliver reusability without sacrificing convenience, and their design draws attention to the prepared food within. Our panelists liked the leakproof lid and noticed right away that these were “keeper” containers — not your ordinary foodservice packaging.
FOODSERVICE: PACKAGING
Anchorware Reusables,
Anchor Packaging
The M&M’S Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich delivers a multitexture taste experience that leans into indulgence. The treat combines M&M’S chocolate candies, baked chocolate cookies, cookie pieces and 100 percent real, creamy and rich ice cream. The cookie sandwich brings the ice cream parlor right to a consumer’s own freezer. Judges noted that the sandwich has a great crunch and is the perfect size for a quick treat.
FROZEN NOVELTIES
M&M’S Cookies and Cream
Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich, Mars Wrigley
Djeep lighters are unique in form and function with
their rectangular tank that boasts up to 3,500 lights.
The product comes in distinctive contemporary designs and embossed wraps that provide an appealing tactile quality. Djeep lighters enable consumers to trade up when purchasing a lighter. Our testers loved their rectangular shape and cool designs, along with their long-lasting lights.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
BIC Djeep Lighter, BIC USA Inc.
Vitamin Energy is a better-for-you energy shot that is super-infused with both vitamins and caffeine, providing an all-in-one solution for those looking to support their immune health and increase their energy levels. At less than 2 ounces, it is packed with vitamins B12 and B6, along with niacin, L-carnitine and potassium. Natural caffeine, green tea and citicoline boost stamina and clarity without the crash-producing effects of added sugar or carbohydrates, and no bloat. It is designed to last seven-plus hours. Our testers reported that the Vitamin Immune+ variety had great flavor, and the zero calories was a plus.
HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE
Vitamin Energy Shot, Vitamin Energy
Apples are full of concentrated energy and nutrition, and these miniature apples-to-go from Rockit Apples are a hot new item. The distinctive look of the 2-inch apples in clear tubes sets these apples apart, but they are still full of flavor and crunch and provide a powerful punch of fiber and antioxidants. The fact that they are packaged and not loose is a definite plus in these times of food safety concerns. Our panelists gave high marks to the packaging innovation, as well as the size and flavor of the apples.
HEALTHY SNACKS
Rockit Apples, Rockit Global Ltd
Twisted Tea Whiskey is brewed with real tea, according to its maker, as it works to preserve the original flavor of Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea. The product is an innovative partnership between Beam Suntory and Boston Beer Co., and can be an add-on to the popular Twisted Tea sale. Twisted Tea Whiskey comes in 50-milliter, 750-milliter and 1-liter bottles with a 32.5 percent ABV or 65-proof label. “Smooth” and “boozy” were the two words most often used by our evaluators.
LIQUOR
Twisted Tea Whiskey, Beam Suntory
After seeing the success of the April 2022 launch of Game Leaf Dark, Swedish Match recognized the need to give consumers a limited-time offer (LTO) on a dark rolled leaf cigar. Consumer testing showed that Dark Rum was the perfect flavor profile to introduce as an LTO. The product was offered in three price points to ensure flexibility at all retail locations: two for $1.29, an unpriced two-pack, and five for $2.99. Game Leaf Dark Rum was the second LTO to include the Game Leaf Rewards program on the back of the pouch.
OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS: CIGARS
Game Leaf Dark Rum, Swedish Match
Mojo pouches offer a unique approach to OTP by providing a hands-free, convenient way to get your energy, vitamins and herbs all in one place. Each pouch contains 50 milligrams of caffeine derived from coffee beans, as well as a proprietary blend of functional ingredients such as ginseng root, yerba mate, B vitamins and amino acids. Just place one pouch between the lip and gum for a boost that lasts up to three hours. Mojo pouches are available in a wide range of flavors that are sugar free and have zero calories. Each can contains 15 pouches.
OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS: SMOKELESS
Mojo Balanced Energy Pouch,
E-Alternative Solutions
Boasting a dynamic flavor, Vitaminwater Zero Sugar With Love is the first of its kind and aims to appeal to teens and adults looking for new experiences and sensations to liven up their day. The raspberry and chocolate flavored beverage is nutrient rich, zero sugar and electrolyte enhanced, making it perfect for on-the-go hydration. Our panelists liked the raspberry mashup and said they would welcome more flavors of zero sugar Vitaminwater.
PACKAGED BEVERAGES:
ENHANCED WATER
Vitaminwater Zero Sugar With Love,
The Coca-Cola Co.
Generation Z is a must-win audience for c-stores, and this limited-edition carbonated soft drink delivers bold flavors and the excitement of discovery in partnership with Grammy-award-winning artist Rosalia. Embracing the contrasts of her personality through packaging and taste, Coca-Cola created this unique flavor, which is a mixture of Coke with vanilla flavors and a bit of muskiness. Coca-Cola Move leverages cultural macro trends and is a triple threat with its bold taste, interactive experiences and connection to music. The beverage received high marks from our panelists for its packaging and trend-forward taste.
PACKAGED BEVERAGES: CARBONATED SOFT DRINKS
Coca-Cola Move/Zero Sugar Move, The Coca-Cola Co.
Gym Weed Adaptogen Energy pairs caffeine from green tea with ashwagandha,
lion’s mane and L-theanine to deliver focused energy without the jitters or crash.
The blend of 700 milligrams of plant-based functional ingredients provides a
balanced, chill energy. Available in craveable flavors such as Rainbow Sherbet,
Candy Shop and Pear Pineapple, its combination of energy with functional
benefits appeals to the energy drink customer looking for a new fix.
PACKAGED BEVERAGES: ENERGY DRINKS
Gym Weed Adaptogen Energy, Gym Weed
Bon Appetit seeks to bring new customers into the packaged sweet snacks category who are looking for new flavor profiles. This Lemon Cheese Cake variety fills the niche for a new and unique flavor in the doughnut segment. Valued priced, the six-pack of mini doughnuts is an impulse item that can be grabbed to savor with your morning coffee. Our panelists scored the lemon flavor highest, but also liked the blueberry version.
PACKAGED SWEET SNACKS: DOUGHNUTS
Lemon Cheese Cake
Donuts, Bon Appetit
Split Shift Coffee was developed specifically for the convenience store consumer, and its new Split Shift Cold Brew is a perfect addition to the cold vault with its slow brewed, smooth taste. This innovative variety of its signature Swift Kick blend truly packs a kick with more than 350 milligrams of caffeine in a 12-ounce can. Like all Split Shift coffee, the cold brew is roasted, brewed and canned in the Pacific Northwest. Our testers loved the convenience — just chill, shake and drink.
PACKAGED BEVERAGES:
RTD COFFEE DRINKS
Split Shift Swift Kick Blend Cold Brew
Unsweetened, Harbor Foods
Dunkaroos Cinnamon Toast Crunch combines consumers’ love of the beloved cookie and icing combo from the 1990s with one of their favorite cereals. Featuring vanilla cookies and Cinnadust frosting, the new product gives retailers a fun option for their packaged sweet set that features two recognizable and beloved brands. Judges commented on the product’s indulgence, calling it a “real treat” and a “familiar nostalgic snack.”
PACKAGED SWEET SNACKS:
COOKIES
Dunkaroos Cinnamon Toast
Crunch, General Mills
Kazbars is not a candy bar, nor is it a piece of cake,
but rather it’s a multitextured stacked bar. The new Hostess innovation combines layers of soft chocolate cake, crème, candy crunch and caramel. The bars are covered in a rich chocolate-flavored coating and topped with a drizzle. The product is ideal for an afternoon reward or on-the-go treat. Our testers said they were “decadent” and liked the Kazbars so much that they asked for seconds.
PACKAGED SWEET SNACKS: OVERALL
Kazbars, Hostess Brands Inc.
Popcorn with a crunch is not a new idea, but the way
Big Dipper makes its Pop Crunch is special. Each popped kernel is large and uniformly coated, making it easy to pop into your mouth from the bag. Our panelists tried two varieties: Almond Butter Caramel and Peanut Butter Caramel. Each flavor was pretty equal in high marks for taste depending on the tester’s preference for peanut butter or not. They enthusiastically noted that the pieces do not stick together in the bag or make their fingers sticky unlike other coated popcorn.
SALTY SNACKS:
READY-TO-EAT POPCORN
Pop Crunch, Big Dipper Food Co.
In an era where consumers increasingly seek low-carb and keto-friendly alternatives, these butterscotch flavored pork rinds provide a guilt-free way to indulge in a sweet yet crunchy treat. By offering a sweet version of a typically savory snack, Pork King Good provides a one-of-a-kind option. Each serving of these dessert-flavored pork rinds has only 1 gram of sugar and carbohydrates. Our testers marveled at this innovative salty-and-sweet flavor addition to the pork rinds category.
SALTY SNACKS: PORK RINDS
Old-Timey Butterscotch Flavor
Pork Rinds, Pork King Good
Consumers are looking for fewer ingredients in their products, but not wanting to lose the taste and crunch that salty snacks provide. Chipoys is able to deliver this with its authentic Mexican rolled corn tortilla chips. The spicy ranch variety has a nice garlic and onion flavor. Our panelists were quick to enjoy the spice and crunch, and wanted to know more about the brand.
SALTY SNACKS: TORTILLA CHIPS
Chipoys Spicy Ranch, Chipoys
The Old El Paso brand, famous for its tasty salsa, has ventured into the salty snacks market. Old El Paso Fiesta Twists Queso are loaded with the smooth taste of queso cheese and the salty flavor of corn chips. They are rather light and airy for a corn chip, according to our testers, and the twist is not too tight. The panel also liked the product’s spicy crunch.
SALTY SNACKS: OVERALL
Old El Paso Fiesta Twists Queso, General Mills
Private label wine appeals especially to millennials and Gen Z who have shown a tendency to be budget conscious while seeking out the best mix of value
and quality. Circle K’s Sunshine Bliss private label
wine exceeded the expectations of our testers with 750-milliter bottles of Pink Moscato, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon priced under $8. All three varieties earned the distinction of being voted a “Best Buy” by Tastings.com and Wine Enthusiast.
WINE
Sunshine Bliss Wine, Circle K Stores Inc.
Reese’s is a top brand in the c-store market, so it makes sense that the company came out with the cool combo of Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers. Each 4.25-ounce bag features 13 different animal shapes. These bite-sized animal crackers are covered in peanut butter candy and dipped in milk chocolate to give consumers the delicious Reese’s taste in every bite. Dipped snacks of all sorts have been trending over the past year, and our testers said this one is irresistible.
OVERALL INNOVATION
Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers,
The Hershey Co.
Now in its 27th year, the Convenience Store News Best New Products Awards program recognizes the marketers that introduce the most innovative, high-quality products into the convenience channel that meet consumers' evolving needs and fit a convenience store's value proposition. A panel of consumers judged submitted products on value, convenience, appearance and packaging, along with attributes such as taste and ingredients for edible items. Based on their ratings, 33 products new to convenience store shelves have been selected
for recognition in this year's competition.
The 2023 Best New Products Awards winners are:
Tequila enthusiasts can enjoy a new, light, ready-to-drink canned cocktail from High Noon. The innovative tequila seltzer made with real Blanco tequila and real fruit juice is only 100 calories per can. It is gluten free, low sugar and perfect for dietary restrictions. The variety eight-pack includes two Strawberry, two Lime, two Grapefruit and two Passionfruit cans. Our panelists said it is incredibly easy to drink and the carbonation keeps it from tasting cloyingly sweet.
2023
