Summer limited-time offers are in full swing for c-stores. From cold drinks to hot burgers to sweet treats, retailers are testing new flavors on their menus.
Here are some of the notable new products and flavors released during the past month.
Circle K, 7-Eleven add summer Gatorade flavors
The two largest c-store chains in the U.S. each unveiled a limited-time, exclusive Gatorade flavor for the summer.
Circle K locations now offer Summer Blaze, which reviewers say has a tropical or peach flavor. Meanwhile, shoppers at 7-Eleven and Speedway can try Electric Flash, which has a citrus-inspired profile.
Neither banner is a stranger to limited-time Gatorade flavors, with both having launched a variation last summer as well — Midnight Ice at 7-Eleven and Lightning Blast at Circle K.
7-Eleven rolls out summer LTOs
7-Eleven introduced two Slurpee-related LTOs to its menu: the Peace Tea Caddy Shack, which offers customers a blend of lemonade and tea flavors, and the blue raspberry Slurpee-inspired flavor of Mini Melts beaded ice cream.
The company also introduced a new Fusion Energy beverage flavor that takes its inspiration from a different frozen treat. The Rocket Pop-inspired energy drink features cherry, blue raspberry and lemon flavors.
7-Eleven augmented these items with a new “Craveables Value Menu” that offers three-for-$3 taquitos and roller grill items and five-piece bone-in wings for $5.
QuikTrip revamps beverage program
QuikTrip is in the process of updating soda, tea and frozen beverage machines across its entire footprint. The new machines give QuikTrip the ability to offer not only more beverage options in less space but also increase the amount of customization via sweeteners and flavor shots.
Nittany MinitMart debuts burger menu
Nittany MinitMart added three limited-time burgers to its menu.
The Pennsylvania-based retailer’s Signature Burger lineup includes a chili cheese burger, hot honey sausage and waffle burger, and a pepperoni pizza burger, all of which were designed to capture the flavors of a cookout.
“We’re always looking for ways to innovate and stay ahead of the curve,” said Angela Gearhart, foodservice category manager at Nittany MinitMart.
Sheetz partners with cream cheese giant on shake
Sheetz has partnered with Kraft Heinz, the maker of Philadelphia cream cheese, to introduce its Sweet Dreamz Cheezecake shake. The new item comes in two varieties — strawberry and S'morez — and uses Philadelphia's cheesecake batter, according to a LinkedIn announcement from Sheetz.
The shakes are available through June 25.
Sheetz has also rolled out a new peach-flavored vodka soda in both 5% and 8% alcohol-by-volume options. The sodas were made in partnership with Slushed Brands and are created using peach gummy rings. The drinks are available across Pennsylvania, as well as inside PNC Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates.
Maverik unveils new donut
As part of its National Donut Day celebration, Maverik introduced a limited-time orange-cream-filled donut to its existing lineup of baked goods.
The donut is available through July 2 at all Maverik and Kum & Go locations.
Stinker ups its OJ game
Stinker Stores’ customers can now grab fresh-squeezed orange juice in stores. The company showed off its juicing machines, which use whole oranges, in a recent LinkedIn post.
The retailer has also tied the juice into a value meal, allowing customers to get a bottle of orange juice and a burrito for $5.99.
Spam musubi joins Nisqually Markets’ menu
Nisqually Markets has added Spam musubi to its menu, according to a Facebook post from the company.
Spam musubi is a sushi-adjascent grab-and-go food that stacks up sticky rice, Spam and soy sauce before wrapping it in seaweed. The item is available at five of the Washington state-based retailer’s locations.
The retailer has also added a limited-time chicken bacon ranch sandwich to its hot menu at four locations.
