DALLAS, June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Pucker up America, the SOUR PATCH® Watermelon flavored Slurpee® is the newest flavor to hit the 7-Eleven Slurpee machine this summer. This new flavor, inspired by chatter on social media from fans already asking for and enjoying these products together, will be exclusively available at participating 7-Eleven stores throughout its 100 Days of Summer, beginning July 1.
This summer, the world's largest convenience store retailer has teamed up with #1 Sour Candy brand, Mondelēz International's SOUR PATCH KIDS, to make summer more delicious with the introduction of the newest Slurpee flavor, SOUR PATCH Watermelon, also with support from 7-Eleven's long-time beverage partner, Fanta.
Fruit flavored Slurpee flavors are the most popular among 7-Eleven customers and SOUR PATCH KIDS are one of the top-selling candies at 7-Eleven. This new SOUR PATCH Watermelon flavored Slurpee really fits the bill, while also adding a new sour flavor twist.
"We're always working to take Slurpee to the next level," said Dennis Phelps, 7-Eleven VP of food service. "And its summer, a time when watermelon flavor is a natural fit. The new SOUR PATCH Watermelon Slurpee tastes delicious – it starts off a little sour, but always ends sweet."
According to Laura Gordon, VP marketing and brand innovation, 7-Eleven really listened to our customers to develop this new offering. "New social listening tools give us the ability to interact directly with customers, learn what they want and quickly experiment with products and flavors they love. Our customers were already buying SOUR PATCH KIDS with their Slurpee drinks, and drinking Slurpees through sour straws – so we know Slurpee fans will love it."
"The new SOUR PATCH Watermelon flavored Slurpee lets us bring our sour and sweet experience to consumers in a whole new way. We know teens love SOUR PATCH KIDS as well as Slurpee so this is the perfect collaboration to delight our consumers outside of our traditional candy experience," said Tara Apisa, Sr. Brand Manager US Candy & Halls at Mondelēz International.
Tim Jones, VP of Convenience at Mondelēz International went on to say that he was happy 7-Eleven captured the "Kids" and he was "proud and excited to work with 7-Eleven to join two of America's great brands – SOUR PATCH KIDS and Slurpee – into one fun and unique experience for the 7-Eleven customer this summer."
Slurpee and SOUR PATCH are also taking the fun online making an appearance in the upcoming digital movie musical SUMMER FOREVER, from Relativity Digital Studios, which follows three lifelong best friends who vow to make their last weekend of summer the most epic of their lives with a "YOLO" pact to chase dreams, sing loud and face fears all before beginning "adult life". For more information, exclusive cast videos and more, visit www.summerforevermovie.com
Stay tuned for the "SOUR PATCH Slurpee Selfie Challenge" fan campaign coming mid-July where fans will have the chance to show how they eat their SOUR PATCH KIDS and drink their SOUR PATCH Watermelon flavored Slurpee. Track #spkslurpeeselfie to join in on the fun.
SOUR PATCH Watermelon Slurpee is available exclusively at participating 7-Eleven stores nationwide. The cost varies by location and size of the drink, ranging from $1.20 for a small to $1.70 for an extra-large. To find a store near you, visit the "store locator" on the 7-Eleven mobile app.
SOUR PATCH, SOUR PATCH KIDS and SPK are registered trademarks of Mondelēz International group, used under license.
7-ELEVEN and 7-ELEVEN are registered trademarks of 7-Eleven, Inc.
For more information about the SOUR PATCH Watermelon flavored Slurpee, please visit www.slurpee.com/SPK, www.facebook.com/Slurpee, or www.twitter.com/Slurpee.
About 7-Eleven, Inc.
7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses nearly 10,500 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are more than 56,000 7-Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2013, 7-Eleven stores generated total worldwide sales close to $84.5 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies for 2013; #1 on Entrepreneur magazine's 2014 Top Global Franchise list; #10 spot on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for 2015, and #3 in Forbes magazine's Top 20 Franchises to Start. 7-Eleven is No. 3 on Fast Company magazine's 2013 list of the "World's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Retail." 7-Eleven places among Top Veteran-Friendly Companies for 2014 by U.S. Veterans Magazine and is among GI Jobs magazine's Top 100 Military Friendly Employers for 2014. Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven among its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.
About Mondelez International
Mondelez International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDLZ) is a global snacking powerhouse, with 2014 revenue of $34 billion. Creating delicious moments of joy in 165 countries, Mondelez International is a world leader in biscuits, chocolate, gum, candy, coffee and powdered beverages, with billion-dollar brands such as Oreo, LU and Nabisco biscuits; Cadbury, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Milka chocolate; Trident gum; Jacobs coffee and Tang powdered beverages. Mondelez International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor's 500, NASDAQ 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.
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SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc.