Winner: Packaged Alcohol Beverages

Bacardi Silver Mojito
Anheuser-Busch Inc.

Bacardi Silver Mojito offers the classic, refreshing, mint-and-lime taste of a Mojito cocktail in a convenient package. Bacardi Silver Mojito is a premium-flavored alcohol beverage modeled after the original muddled (crushed mint and limes) cocktail, down to its cloudy-white appearance. Bacardi Silver Mojito is available in 5% and 4% alcohol by volume (ABV) versions. Packaged in a clear, 12-ounce bottle, it also will be available in 24-ounce bottles and 12-ounce slim cans.

Finalists: Packaged Alcohol Beverages

Mike’s Hard Light Cranberry Lemonade -- Mike’s Hard Lemonade Company

Mike’s Hard Cranberry Lemonade® - Welcome to the lighter side of Mike’s.  This product has all the flavor of the original Mike’s Hard Cranberry Lemonade with the same calories as light beer. The only thing that goes down easier is, well, another one.

Kalima Hawaiian Hard Creamers – Tropical Punch, B2 Beverages
Hard Creamers and Kalima Hawaiian Hard Creamers combine natural fruit flavors with cream for a silky smooth, ready-to-drink, non-carbonated five percent alcohol malt beverage. Kalima flavors include Pina Colada, Fuzzy Navel and Tropical Cream. Hard Creamers are available in Strawberry Daiquiri, Orange Cream and Cactus Pear Margarita.

Winner: Beer

Miller Chill
Miller Brewing Co.

Miller Chill, an American take on the popular Mexican chelada, is the only light beer brewed with a hint of lime and a pinch of salt. Miller Chill is a twist on the typical light beer, with the lime adding crispness and the salt making Miller Chill smooth. The product comes in 6- and 12-packs of 12-ounce bottles, and each serving has 110 calories, 6.5 grams of carbohydrates and 4.2% alcohol by volume.

 

Finalists: Packaged Alcohol Beverages

Anheuser-Busch Chelada – Anheuser-Busch, Inc.

Latinos, specifically those of Mexican descent, have been mixing beer with Clamato for decades.  Budweiser, Bud Light & Clamato Chelada honors that tradition by combining Anheuser-Busch’s classic American-style lagers with the zesty, invigorating taste of Clamato Tomato Cocktail, made by Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages.  Clamato Chelada was developed with the consumer in mind. Brewed at Anheuser-Busch’s St. Louis brewery, Budweiser Chelada contains 5.0 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) and Bud Light Chelada contains 4.2 percent ABV and is available in 24 ounce single-serve cans.

Tona Cerveza – United States Beverage, LLC

United States Beverage, L.L.C., distributes the first Nicaraguan Beer ever widely imported into the United States.  Toña Cerveza, brewed in Managua, Nicaragua by Compania Cervecera De Nicaragua, S.A., is an all-natural, exotic-flavored beer.  Made with the highest quality ingredients as certified by the Siebel Institute, Toña has an alcohol content of 4.6 percent by volume.  The golden lager’s unique, authentic taste and tagline, “drink exotic,” make it one of the most striking Central American beers to begin distribution in the U.S.  The painted bottles and yellow and black packaging give Toña a contemporary, streamlined look. 

Winner: Coffee-Based Beverages

Java Monster
Monster Beverage Co.

Java Monster, a venture into the ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee market, is poised to take on the virtually unchallenged market leader. Positioned for RTD coffee lovers who would prefer an edgier product, Java Monster delivers the taste of coffee with the big, bad buzz that Monster Energy is known for: A 15-ounce can of Java Monster has half the caffeine of regular coffee but delivers twice the buzz. It is available in Loca Moca, Mean Bean and Big Black varieties.

Finalists: Coffee-Based Beverages

Mocha Java Pop Organic Coffee Soda – Java Pop
Java Pop Organic Coffee Soda is a lightly carbonated coffee soda that is made exclusively from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters finest Organic Coffee, all-natural flavors, and organic cane juice. Based out of Woodstock, VT., Java Pop prides itself on organic beverages that contain no artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup or any other ingredients that cannot be pronounced!

Shock Coffee Triple Mocha – Shock Coffee
Shock Coffee Drinks deliver you the best tasting ready-to-drink coffee beverages in the world, packed in the coolest looking cans around. Our Triple Mocha & Triple Latte will most certainly get you moving ... we're talking up to 50% more caffeine than other gourmet coffee's. An independent evaluation by BevNet found our Shock Triple Mocha to be THE BEST tasting coffee drink on the market, with Shock Triple Latte in a close second! We can't keep enough of them cold in our own offices!  Triple Mocha Shock Coffee Drinks are available in 8 oz. cans.

Winner: Bottled Juice

V8 V·Fusion
Campbell Soup Co.

Pomegranate Blueberry, the newest V-8 flavor, is rich in antioxidants and delivers the vegetable nutrition benefits consumers associate with the V8 beverage line. Each variety of V8 V·Fusion provides a full serving of vegetables and a full serving of fruit in each 8-ounce glass. V8 V·Fusion is 100% juice, has no sugar added and provides antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. It is offered in 12-ounce and 46-ounce sizes for a suggested retail price of $1.79 and $3.89, respectively.

Finalists: Bottled Juice

Belly Washers Juice – InZone Brands

In Zone Brands, Inc. is the maker of the interactive juice beverage, Belly Washers. BellyWashers are packaged in 8oz. reusable bottles with licensed character toppers and contain 100% Real Juice.  Children of all ages love Belly Washers Juice!

Minute Maid Enhanced Juices – Minute Maid, The Coca-Cola Company

Minute Maid introduces a new line of 100% orange juice products with health benefits from added nutrients and functional ingredients.  The Minute Maid Enhanced Juice line includes new Minute Maid Multi-Vitamin and Minute Maid Active, as well as new packaging for the popular Minute Maid Heart Wise variety.  Minute Maid Enhanced Juices are offered in distinctive 59 fluid ounce PET bottles that showcase the fresh taste and high quality of the juice and feature an “easy pour” side grip.

Winner: Soft Drinks

Diet Coke Plus
The Coca-Cola Co.

Diet Coke Plus has everything consumers could want from their diet cola and more, according to the company. The sparkling, calorie-free beverage provides refreshing taste along with essential vitamins and minerals. Available in 20-ounce PET bottles and 12-ounce cans, each 8-ounce serving provides 15% of the daily value of niacin, vitamins B6, B3 and B12, as well as 10% of zinc and magnesium.
Finalists: Soft Drinks

Celsius Wild Berry Flavored Soda – Celsius, Inc.

Celsius offers the new flavor of Wild Berry Cola to their soda line.  Celsius is a dietary supplement that in multiple clinical studies has been shown to burn over 100 calories, boost energy and increase metabolism for up to 3 hours. Celsius contains a blend of ingredients including Green Tea with EGCG, Ginger, Calcium, Chromium, B Vitamins, and Vitamin C. Celsius is available in 5 great-tasting flavors including Orange, Cola, Lemon-Lime, Ginger Ale and now, Wild Berry. The continued mission of Celsius, Inc. is to create healthy refreshment through science and innovation and growth through passion and integrity.

Health Cola – Health Cola Company

Health Cola is a brand-new cola beverage made with natural ingredients.  Health Cola is good for your health because it is an excellent source of Vitamin C and contains natural protective antioxidants.  Health Cola uses no preservatives, no phosphoric acid and no corn syrup.  But can a cola beverage that is so good for you really taste good?  Blind taste-tests give the answer without bias:  Health Cola beats leading colas by a wide margin.

Winner: Energy Drinks

UPSHOT Pomegranate Energy Shot
Drinks That Work

Coming on the heels of the original line of UPSHOT flavors (Mocha, Kola and Fruit), UPSHOT Pomegranate is a 2.5-ounce energy shot containing a proprietary blend of super-antioxidant fruits such as pomegranate and açaí and plants rich in natural caffeine such as green tea, guarana and kola nut. According to the company, it is 2.5 times stronger than canned energy sodas and has been scientifically engineered as a perfect dose of energy.

Finalists: Energy Drinks

Kronik Entourage – Kronik Energy

Kronik Energy has launched its newest 16-ounce drink offering, Kronik Entourage.  The company’s new Kronik Entourage formulation -- a juice and energy blend using 80 percent juice as its base -- features bright orange graphics and a barbed wire design.  Kronik Entourage is also available in a 4-pack that utilizes heat shrink technology and is line priced with other Kronik skus.

XL Energy – XL Energy Company

XL Energy is lightly caffeinated with a citrus flavor that is pleasantly sweetened with sugar rather than corn syrup. Much like other energy drinks, its active ingredients are taurine, caffeine, and vitamins from the B group, but XL Energy only has 45 calories. In the sugar-free version, saccharine is used as the sweetener. In 2005, the company received a kosher certificate that confirms that all production processes, substances and formula are kosher-parve.  XL Energy is going after a younger market: 15-to-25 year olds who are looking for a good mood for fun, adventure, and mind work while saving them some pocket money.

Winner: Ready-to-Drink Tea

Snapple Mango Green Tea
Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages

Snapple Mango Green Tea is all-natural green tea, loaded with a natural antioxidant. Scientists call it EGCG. You might call it another reason to pop open a bottle of Snapple Mango Green Tea. Available in 17.5-ounce glass bottles, Snapple Mango Green Tea starts with the finest tea leaves and is made from filtered water, real sugar, natural green-tea extract, natural flavors, citric acid, tea and vitamin C.

Finalists: Ready-to-Drink Tea

Black & White Iced Tea – AriZona Beverages

The tea is sweetened with pure cane sugar, and contains only 50 calories per serving, about one-half  that of carbonated soft drinks. The product is infused with Vitamin C and is 100% natural with no artificial colors, flavors and no preservatives. AriZona Black & White Tea gives the consumer the great taste of black tea with the healthy goodness of white tea.

Enviga Green Tea – Nestea, The Coca-Cola Company

Enviga, the sparkling green tea proven to burn calories, gently invigorates the metabolism to increase calorie burning.  The refreshing beverage is designed to complement -- not replace -- regular exercise, a good diet and other healthy choices.  Enviga is available in three delicious flavors including green tea, berry and peach.  

Winner: Beverage Mixers

Crystal Light Raspberry Green Tea Packets
Kraft Foods

Crystal Light Raspberry Green Tea by Kraft Foods comes in convenient on-the-go stick packs, so it’s an easy way to get enhanced refreshment. It is a good source of antioxidant vitamins A (as beta carotene), C and E, plus it has an additional 55 mg of natural green tea antioxidants to help maintain a body’s good health.  Crystal Light teas also come in peach, raspberry, lemon and white tea blueberry.

Finalists: Beverage Mixers

Kiwi-Strawberry Propel Packets – Gatorade

Propel Powder Packets, developed by the hydration experts at Gatorade, have the same great taste and low calorie benefits as Propel Fit Water, and provide the added benefit of easier portability – so people can turn plain water into Propel - anytime, anywhere.  Packet flavors come in Kiwi-Strawberry, Berry, Grape and Lemon. 

Stok Black Coffee Shot – White Wave Foods

WhiteWave Foods STÔK™ black coffee shot, a new concept in the world of alternative coffee enhancement. Each individual serving delivers a pop of pure, invigorating caffeine – equivalent to adding an extra shot of espresso to your coffee. STÔK pours out 40 milligrams of caffeine, offering a  powerful caffeine hit for consumers on-the-go.

Winner: Water

vitaminwater XXX
glaceau vitaminwater

Glaceau, maker of vitaminwater, fruitwater and smartwater, continues to bring science and nature together in its new variety, vitaminwater XXX, which blends the taste of açaí, blueberry and pomegranate. Antioxidant levels are “off the charts,” according to the company, providing enormous health benefits. XXX joins the vitaminwater lineup of 15 varieties, each providing a unique flavor and function. XXX carries an SRP of $1.49.

Finalists: Water

Fruit20 Vitamin Enhanced Water – Kraft Foods
Fruit20 is a nutrient enhanced, calorie-free water that will fuel sales!  It is available in four flavors – Energy, raspberry; Relax, tropical fruit blend; Immunity, berry pomegranate; and Hydration, strawberry tangerine.

Lemonmint Water - Metromint Brands
Combine pure water, real mint, and the essence of lemon and you get
Lemonmint Water, a delightfully cool blast of refreshment. Lemonmint is surprisingly tangy and brisk. It has a bright and invigorating taste that awakens your senses. 

Winner: Candy Rolls/Mints/Drops

Tic Tac Cherry Passion
Ferrero USA Inc.

Tic Tac Cherry Passion is a mixed-fruit taste experience that pairs cherry and passion fruit. With Cherry Passion, Tic Tac is capitalizing on the fruit flavor-fusion trend that has been a significant driving force behind the growth of the gum and mints category. Cherry Passion follows up the success of Tic Tac Citrus Twist, another mixed fruit item that has contributed to the performance of the mints category.

Finalists: Candy/Rolls/Mints/Drops

attach/Mints – attach/Mints, LLC

attach/MINTS is designed for smokers and other mint lovers tired of carrying bulky mint containers.  attach/MINTS clip on the top of a pack of cigarettes, making it easy for smokers to carry.  Its small size makes it ideal for children ages 8 and up to carry and may create a new fashion craze, according to the company.  With the small, portable packaging and clip, consumers can attach the mints to belts, wallets, car visors, pockets or notebooks so they are always available.

Sour Apple Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge Chew Bar – Candy Dynamics/BDI            

Candy Dynamics introduces an exciting new product, Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge® Chew Bar, to join their range of children’s confectionery.  The new chew bar is available in an ultra sour apple flavor, guaranteed to give kids of all ages something to pucker about.  The Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge® Chew Bar comes in high impact packaging featuring a bright yellow and black DANGER design to emphasize the sour taste and toxic green color.  Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge® has a SRP of $.25 and is packaged in display boxes of 75, 48, or 24 chew bars. 

Winner: Gum

Stride Spearmint
Cadbury Adams USA

Cadbury Adams USA reinvented and revolutionized the gum category by launching Stride, according to the company. This distinctive product line continues to provide consumers with long-lasting flavor and a soft chew. Stride is available in four flavors: Winterblue, Spearmint, Sweet Peppermint, and new Forever Fruit. Each flavor comes in both single and multipacks. Stride comes in hip, recloseable packs that feature “tear and share” packaging, which allows chewers to share their pack with friends.

Finalists: Gum

Dentyne Blast Winter Chill – Cadbury Adams

The maker of Dentyne chewing gum delivers a category first with the introduction of Dentyne Blast, the first liquid-center chewing gum in the United States made with Erythritol to provide enhanced breath freshening to consumers. Dentyne Blast is also the first sugarless gum from Dentyne to contain a liquid-filled center. It is available in Cool Lime and Winter Chill flavors. The gum is available in single nine-piece packs and in three-pack bags.

5 “Rain” Spearmint Flavor – Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company

5 is a groundbreaking, new sugar-free stick gum with mouth-freshening, long-lasting flavors combined with invigorating sensations “you can feel as you chew.” Available in Rain™ (a tingling spearmint flavor), Cobalt™ (a cooling peppermint flavor), and Flare™ (warming cinnamon flavor), 5 debuts in a 15-stick envelope package, a first for the gum category. The 5 envelope is the next great packaging enhancement for stick gum, and will carry a suggested retail price of $1.49 for individual packs and $3.49 for a three-pack.

Winner: General Merchandise

Drink Series Lighters
BIC Corp.

Targeted toward men and women ages 21 to 44, the BIC Special Edition Drink Series allows these consumers the opportunity to express their own unique style while providing them with two times the lights vs. the next leading brand. Featuring 12 designs of popular drink choices, ranging from selections such as martinis and cognac to libations such as beer and wine, the Drink Series is for the consumer who wants to make a statement about his or her lifestyle.

Finalists: General Merchandise

Leather Lighters – DjEEP

DjEEP’s Southwestern leather lighters series features the feel and style of embossed leather in four different embossed designs. With continued use, the saddle tan leatherette surface takes on a luxurious patina. Each design is derived from Native American art of the southwest found on pottery and other crafts. The lighters are available on 24-count upright displays.

CitraWipe Degreaser Hand Wipes – Zogics

Zogics introduces CitraWipe, a degreaser hand wipe with natural citrus oil extracts for removing grease, oil, tar, ink, paint and more. Each 9-inch-by-7-inch CitraWipe is made of strong, low-linting, non-woven fabric saturated with oils extracted from citrus rind, enriched with aloe vera and lanolin. They are self-drying and require no water for use. CitraWipes are individually packaged in 2.5-inch-by-4-inch heavy-duty foil pouches with suggested retail price of $2.49 per two-pack.

Winner: HBC

5-Hour Energy Liquid
Living Essentials

With 5-Hour Energy, leave grogginess behind and sail through the day without feeling jittery or crashing, according to the company. That’s because 5-Hour Energy contains a powerful blend of B vitamins for energy and amino acids for focus. There’s zero sugar, zero herbal stimulants and only eight calories. The 2-ounce bottle takes seconds to drink and in minutes makes the user feeling awake, alert and productive, which lasts for hours, according to the company.

Finalists: HBC

Lifestyles Vibrating Ring – Ansell Limited

‘Rock your world’ with the LifeStyles® Vibrating Ring! Soft vibrating studs enhance stimulation for both of you and your partner. The pliable silicone ring comfortably expands to fit all men. The ring can be used with or without a condom, features an easy on/off switch and lasts up to 20 minutes. Available in a single pack or triple your pleasure with our 3-pack!

Anbesol Maximum Strength Gel Two-Dose Pouch – Wyeth Consumer Healthcare

Wyeth Consumer Healthcare is pleased to announce the launch of a new convenient and portable Two-Dose Pouch package for ANBESOL Maximum Strength Gel. ANBESOL Maximum Strength Gel is a leading oral anesthetic (20% Benzocaine) that provides Instant Pain Relief from mouth pain associated with toothaches, gum pain, canker sores, dentures and braces. The Two-Dose Pouch is currently available from Mechanical Servants, Inc. (Convenience Valet), who repackages the tandem pouch in a blister card and includes a high value coupon for full-size product purchase.

Winner: Roller Grill Products

El Monterey Firecracker Chicken Tornados
Ruiz Foods Inc.

Ruiz Foods’ El Monterey Tornado flavor Firecracker Chicken is a hot-wing-style medley of chicken and Monterey Jack cheese in a crispy seasoned tortilla. El Monterey Tornados are soft flour tortillas rolled in crispy seasoned batter and stuffed with savory meats and melted real cheeses. Other 3-ounce Tornado flavors include Steak, Egg & Cheese; Egg, Bacon, Cheese & Salsa; French Toast & Sausage; and Ranchero Beef Steak & Cheese.

Finalists: Roller Grill Products

Oscar Mayer Handi-Stuffs – Kraft Foods

Portable and convenient, Handi-Stuffs from Oscar Mayer are an innovative and flavorful on-the-go option made especially for the roller grill.
-Handi-Stuffs cook as easily as a hot dog on a roller grill, with 20 to 30 -minute heating times and 4-hour holding times.
-Available flavors include Chili Cheese Taco Handi-Stuffs, Italian Handi-Stuffs, and Fiesta Handi-Stuffs.

Minh Cheeseburger Egg Roll – Schwan’s Food Service

Schwan’s Food Service offers a cheeseburger of the Asian persuasion. Its MINH brand introduce the latest in a complete line of Asian-inspired products —the Cheeseburger Egg Roll. New MINH Cheeseburger Egg Rolls feature the classic taste of the all-American cheeseburger inside a golden-brown egg roll wrapper. Seasoned ground beef is combined with American and Cheddar cheeses, onions, dill pickles, and mustard, just like a real burger. This one-of-a-kind item is perfect for grab-and-go any time of day, as a quick meal or satisfying hot snack.

Winner: Sandwiches/Wraps

Chicken Breast Filet Sandwich
White Castle Distributing

White Castle has been known for serving unique hamburgers for 85 years, but recently the White Castle restaurants have had success with a new breaded-chicken sandwich. Given the popularity of this new product, White Castle Distributing is adding it to its line of microwavable sandwiches. Now available is the Breaded Chicken Breast sandwich, which can be prepared in 55 seconds. It is frozen and then packaged in a convenient microwaveable two-pack.

Finalists: Sandwiches/Wraps

Oscar Mayer Handi-Stuffs – Kraft Foods

Portable and convenient, Handi-Stuffs from Oscar Mayer are an innovative and flavorful on-the-go option made especially for the roller grill.
-Handi-Stuffs cook as easily as a hot dog on a roller grill, with 20 to 30 -minute heating times and 4-hour holding times.
-Available flavors include Chili Cheese Taco Handi-Stuffs, Italian Handi-Stuffs, and Fiesta Handi-Stuffs.

Minh Cheeseburger Egg Roll – Schwan’s Food Service

Schwan’s Food Service offers a cheeseburger of the Asian persuasion. Its MINH brand introduce the latest in a complete line of Asian-inspired products —the Cheeseburger Egg Roll. New MINH Cheeseburger Egg Rolls feature the classic taste of the all-American cheeseburger inside a golden-brown egg roll wrapper. Seasoned ground beef is combined with American and Cheddar cheeses, onions, dill pickles, and mustard, just like a real burger. This one-of-a-kind item is perfect for grab-and-go any time of day, as a quick meal or satisfying hot snack.

Winner: Breakfast

Pillsbury Sweet Minis
General Mills Inc.

Convenience store retailers looking for foodservice products with all-day appeal can now offer Pillsbury Sweet Minis, hot, sweet baked goods available around the clock. Pillsbury Sweet Minis chocolate chip cookies, brownie bites and mini doughnuts are served hot in a portable cup for the on-the-go consumer, with an SRP of $1.99. They’re designed specifically for c-store retailers, with no-bake, no-touch separation to the small case size, flexible storage options and four-hour hold time.

Finalists: Breakfast

Chorizo Egg & Cheese Hot Pockets – Nestle Handheld Foods

To help C-Store operators capitalize on the breakfast opportunity – and to extend the usage time of their rollergrill, Nestlé FoodServices introduces HOT POCKETS® brand Chorizo & Egg ROLLERSTIX® brand roller sandwiches. Spicy chorizo sausage, scrambled eggs and cheese sauce with crushed red pepper flakes are all rolled in a biscuit crust. It’s a hot, hearty, portable breakfast that offers the combination of home-style comfort with a kick to start the day.

El Monterey Supreme Omelet Tornados – Ruiz Food Products

The El Monterey Supreme Omelet Tornado is the newest addition to the breakfast Tornado flavors and includes egg, sausage, bacon, ham and cheese—a meat-lover’s dream. The latest Tornado joins a line with 13 regular 3-ounce flavors and five 4.25-ounce El Monterey XXL Tornado flavors that cover each day-part. El Monterey Tornados are soft flour tortillas rolled in crispy seasoned batter and stuffed with meats and real cheeses.

Winner: Other Foodservice Items

Del Monte Fresh Produce Grab N Go Fruit Cups
Del Monte Fresh Foods

Grab N Go Fruit Cups are designed for time-starved consumers. Available in 4-ounce to 7-ounce cups, with different flavors of dips, they’re made with freshly cut Del Monte pineapples, melons, grapes, apples and mango. In the wake of increasing health concerns, more consumers are turning to fruits and vegetables as a way of leading healthier lifestyles. Del Monte works closely with its retails partners to customize product orders, fruit combinations and packaging that will increase value-added sales.

Finalists: Other Foodservice Items

Any’tisers Homestyle Chicken Fries – Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, the name consumers know and trust for quality and great taste, introduces a product for the snacking era! The NEW Tyson® Any’tizers™ are a delicious lineup of easy to prepare, restaurant-style frozen snacks for consumers who need tasty and meaty snack options for multiple occasions.

E-Z Eats Beef & Cheese Mini Tacos – Windsor Foods

Windsor Foods takes convenience foods to a new level with the introduction of EZ Eats® Craveable Microwaveable Snacks ™. The cups are designed with a recloseable self-venting lid and are 100% microwaveable. These grab and go portable cups fit perfectly into any car or truck’s cup holder for easy snacking!

Winner: Dispensed Beverages

S&D Iced Coffee
S&D Coffee Inc.

Quench your customers’ thirst with S&D Coffee’s brand new Fresh Brewed Iced Coffee. It can be a refreshing addition to a store’s hot beverage category for the afternoon day-part, as well as the summer months, according to the company. The fresh-brewed coffee can be turned into ice-cold profit through the company’s turnkey program, which includes product, equipment, recipes and merchandising.

Finalists: Dispensed Beverages

Orange Ginger Blossom Iced White Tea – China Mist Brands

China Mist Brands, maker and distributor of specialty teas and coffees, introduced its first iced white tea available for the foodservice and retail industries, Orange Blossom Ginger Iced White Tea. China Mist Brands has made Leaves Pure Teas Hot White Teas for years, and found a strong following for the delicate flavor and healthful properties associated with this tea.

SoBe® Energy Coolatta® - Dunkin’ Brands

The SoBe® Energy Coolatta®. is the newest addition to the Dunkin’ Brands of frozen slush drinks. The cherry citrus-flavored beverage is designed to provide refreshment and fuel to the active, on-the-go c-store consumer. The product is another example of innovation that has helped Dunkin’ Brands become a leader in the frozen drink category.

Winner: Cooking/Foodservice Display Equipment

Mini Display Warmer
Hatco Corp.

Hatco’s Model MDW, or Mini Display Warmer, has a twist: Its three shelves are magnetically adjustable for horizontal and slanted display, giving any merchant with limited counter space flexibility in displaying sandwiches, cookies, muffins and other items. Hot air circulates throughout the cabinet, keeping food at safe serving temperatures up to 180 degrees. Tempered glass sides and incandescent light maximize product appeal for breakfast, lunch and dinner customers.

Finalists: Cooking/Foodservice Display Equipment

Counter Café Merchandiser – Piccadilly Circus Pizza

Hungry c-store customers want two things: good and fast food while c-store operators are looking for attention-getting, flexible ways to display products. Piccadilly Circus Pizza’s new “Counter Café” merchandiser gives both what they want. The Counter Café system lets operators use their existing counter space for total display flexibility. For those with limited counter space, an option coordinating cabinet base is available.

Speed Oven – Duke Manufacturing

The revolutionary DUKE SPEED OVEN™ cooks to perfection up to ten times faster than traditional convection ovens. The oven’s user friendly programmable control ensures repeatable quality and the flexibility to cook from either frozen or chilled. Because the oven is equipped with an internal catalyst/emission reduction system it’s UL certified to operate without requiring a ventilation hood system. The unique technology of the DUKE SPEED OVEN™ also enables the use of metal cookware providing additional user flexibility.

Winner: Hot Dispensed Beverage Equipment

Iced Brewing/Coffee Brewing Systems G3
Wilbur Curtis Co.

Curtis’ G3 Systems combine precision brewing and blending with an easy-to-use interface providing operators with digital control over all critical functions. G3 Coffee Brewing Systems, G3 Iced Tea Brewing Systems and G3 Primo Cappuccino Systems allow the user to save signature settings for consistency. G3’s unique Universal Control Module, featuring an oversized LCD display, intuitive graphic interface and scroll-through programming, simplifies gourmet brewing and blending. The machines can be customized but have programmed factory settings and on-board diagnostics.

Finalists: Hot Dispensed Beverage Equipment

On Demand Coffee Dispenser – S&D Coffee

S&D Coffee introduces an “on demand” coffee system that can meet your needs to serve coffee quickly with no waste, and also meet your desire to serve a great tasting cup of coffee. The Premium On-Demand™ Coffee is produced using proprietary “cold brewing” technology for a delicious aroma and flavor without the typical unfavorable flavors and aromas often associated with liquid coffee.

Shock Airpot Dispensers – Shock Coffee

The Shock coffee Air Pot keeps coffee fresh and hot for up to 4 hours. Just as important is its eye catching graphics and brilliant logo. The design definitely makes it stand out more than any other Air Pot in the rack. To sum things up, the Shock Coffee Air Pot screams out to the customer that “I’m hot” and “I’m strong” so taste me and I’ll wake you up!

Winner: Cold Dispensed Beverage Equipment

Four Flavors Beverage Dispenser Model 564
Frozen Beverage Dispensers

FBD-Frozen Beverage Dispensers delivers extreme capacity—64 ounces per minute draw—and options. The 560 series, built on a platform featuring the Scroll compressor, delivers optimal capacity; its recovery time is one of the fastest in the industry, according to the company. FBD-Frozen Beverage Dispensers’ 564 Dispenser gives retailers the most flavors in the least amount of counter space: 26 inches. FBD-Frozen Beverage Dispensers delivers the flavor options needed to maximize the frozen beverage category.

Finalists: Cold Dispensed Beverage Equipment

Serenity Series KMS 1230 Ice Machine – Hoshizaki

The Serenity Series Cuber Ice Machine (KMS-1230MLH) is 75% quieter than traditional remote units, according to the company, Hoshizaki America. It uses a remote condenser and compressor stationed outside the kitchen and away from customer usage, producing less noise and heat. Serenity’s space saving design (30 inches wide and 24 inches deep by 28 inches high) makes for an ideal installation on top of a beverage dispenser. The unit produces up to 1,126 pounds of ice every 24 hours.

Self-Cleaning Beverage Dispenser Model 2400 – Parrot-Ice Drink Products of America

The newest two-flavor frozen beverage dispenser is the "Self Cleaning Sealed System" (SCSS). It is dependable and operator friendly and has provided a revolutionary solution for the industry. This state of the art technology serves the perfect Parrot-Ice Frozen Fruit Beverage every time. Virtually labor free, this dispenser is easy to operate with little to no maintenance and features that include Self Cleaning & Sanitizing, Auto Defrost (daily), Auto Fills from Bag-N-Box, and Self Diagnostics Display.


Winner: Salty Snacks

Sweet & Salty Caramel Bugles
General Mills Inc.

Sweet & Salty Bugles in Caramel were developed exclusively for convenience stores, building on the success of the company’s introduction of Chocolate Chex Mix. Available in a 3.5-ounce bags with a suggested retail price of $1.99, the indulgence of caramel combined with crispy corn Bugles creates a unique offering for the salty-snack aisle. To leverage the success of Chocolate Chex Mix, General Mills will merchandise Sweet & Salty Bugles along with Chocolate Chex Mix in a display shipper.
Finalists: Salty Snacks

Krinkle Sticks Potato Snacks – LesserEvil

They’re Bent, Baked and Seasoned…and DELICIOUS. You can’t say “snack food” without thinking “potato chips.” But with 10+ grams of fat, saturated fats, cholesterol and even trans-fatty acids – it’s a guilt trip just looking at a bag. That’s why we created LesserEvil Krinkle Sticks. These all natural, crinkle-shaped potato snacks are made from domestically grown potatoes, have a huge crunch and come in four dynamic flavors. Because they are baked, our fry-shaped sticks have 75% less fat than regular potato snacks. They are also cholesterol free with no trans-fats, sat-fats or artificial flavors.

Salt & Pepper Sunflower Seeds – Zotes Products

Some choices are hard. Is it the blonde or the redhead? Should you comb-over from the left or right? Lucky for you, we aim to make your life simpler. Spreading ZOTES is the easiest choice you’ll ever make. Welcome to the world of ZOTES. Anything is possible. You want Bleu Cheese? Tequila Lime? Garlic Roast? Done. As the saying goes, we pride ourselves on finding new ways to impress taste buds. It’s just what we do.


Winner: Sweet Snacks

Reese’s Brownies
Hershey Foods

Hershey’s brownies are sure to satisfy customers on the go in two signature flavors: Hershey’s and Reese’s. Hershey’s chocolate chips or Reese’s peanut-butter chips are enveloped in a rich chocolate brownie, then accented with a drizzle of icing. The Hershey Company is the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products. With revenues of nearly $5 billion, The Hershey Co. markets iconic brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses and Ice Breakers.

Finalists: Sweet Snacks

Mrs. Freshley’s Jumbo Cake Donuts – Flowers Foods

Flowers Foods Specialty Group’s newest addition to the Mrs. Freshley’s brand is an impressive 4.5-ounce cake donut that comes in three popular varieties—Glazed, Chocolate Frosted, and Vanilla Iced. The donut has the rich flavor and soft texture of an old-fashioned cake donut. The donut top is drenched in one of three popular glazes – chocolate, vanilla or glazed . It’s a great treat for breakfast or a snack and is even big enough to enjoy as a satisfying dessert.

SoftBatch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies – Kellogg’s

It’s the deliciously popular taste of Soft Batch® in a bigger size, so this single-serve cookie is sure to be a huge hit. In consumer taste tests, over half of the consumers (55%) thought that Soft Batch® Homestyle cookies were BETTER than the cookies they eat most often from a convenience store, and another 32% thought the cookies were equally as good as the cookies they most often eat today.


Winner: Alternative Snacks

Sweet & Salty Granola Bar
The Hershey Co.

Hershey satisfies your customers’ cravings with Sweet & Salty Granola bars with pretzels. Hershey’s bar size—51 grams—is customized for adult consumers. The bars are also available in Reese’s Chocolate and Reese’s Peanut Butter. The Hershey Co. is the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products. With revenues of nearly $5 billion and more than 13,000 employees worldwide, The Hershey Co. markets iconic brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses and Ice Breakers.

Finalists: Alternative Snacks

Raisin Almond SOYJOY Bar – Pharmavite

SOYJOY is the only all-natural, baked nutrition bar made with whole soy and real fruit. An ideal blend of nutrients, SOYJOY offers a satisfying energy boost in between meals. Great on-the-go or as an anytime snack, portion-controlled SOYJOY fits seamlessly into any lifestyle as a convenient and smart snack option. SOYJOY comes in four delicious flavors: Apple, Berry, Mango Coconut, and Raisin Almond.

MET-Rx Big 100 Colossal Crispy Apple Bar – U.S. Nutrition

MET-Rx has introduced the Big 100 Colossal Crispy Apple Pie bar. It offers the same nutrition that consumers have come to expect from the Colossal, only with an apple-pie flavor. Like the other flavors in the line, the Big 100 Colossal Crispy Apple Pie features 32 grams of protein, including metamyosyn, vitamins, minerals and zero grams trans fat. It is supported by an extensive advertising campaign in conjunction with a multimillion-dollar effort for the entire Big 100 Colossal line.

Winner: Meat Snacks

Organic Beef Jerky
Jack Link’s Beef Jerky

Healthy snacking can sometimes be a bland and unsatisfying experience. Jack Link’s Organic Beef Jerky offers consumers a taste experience while meeting their growing demand for organic, convenient snack foods. In support of flavor-seeking, healthy snackers everywhere, Jack Link’s Organic Beef Jerky flavors include Original, Peppered and Teriyaki. It is made with premium cuts of tender, 100% beef, naturally seasoned and smoked, and certified organic with no preservatives, MSG or nitrites added. 
Finalists: Meat Snacks

Turkey Jerky – Old Wisconsin

Same great name……. Same BIG size … ½ the Calories, 1/3 the fat … 12 grams of protein per serving. Our new brand extension of 1.75oz Turkey Snack Sticks is perfect for the poultry loving crowd. Lower in fat and calories but still hardwood smoked for great Old Wisconsin flavor.

Frank’s RedHot Beef Jerky – Thanasi Foods

FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Original Beef Jerky is here. All peppers – and all beef jerky - are not created the same. FRANK'S® REDHOT® uses a proprietary blend of special chile peppers to produce that surge of flavor that thrills your taste buds. THANASI Foods uses only selected whole-muscle, beef soaked in FRANK’S® REDHOT® Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce, creating a full-flavored snack that is sure to satisfy.

Winner: Frozen Desserts

Rocky Road Edy’s Dibs
Dreyer’s Inc.

Dreyer’s Dibs’ latest flavor, Rocky Road, takes the iconic Dreyer’s ice-cream flavor and packs it into a bite-size snack that can be enjoyed at home or on the go any time, anywhere. Chocolate-and-marshmallow-flavored ice cream all wrapped in a chocolatey almond coating—the flavor invented by Dreyer’s is a mouthful. Dreyer’s Dibs bite-sized ice-cream snacks were launched in 2005, revolutionizing the ice-cream world with their unique form and flavors.

Finalists: Frozen Desserts

Luigi’s Real Italian Ice Cherry Flavor Cups – J&J Snacks

Experience the most convenient way to snack with LUIGI’S® Real Italian Ice, in a NEW 10 fl. oz cup. LUIGI’S® Real Italian Ice, the #1 brand of Italian Ice in the world, is now available in the perfect size for on-the-go consumers in both cherry and lemon flavors.
Unlike other rigid and ice like Italian Ices, the light, soft texture of LUIGI’S® leaves you refreshed with every bite.

California Naturals Pomegranate & Vanilla Sorbet – J&J Snacks

Enjoy California Natural™ new flavors being offered this summer in Pomegranate Sorbet and Vanilla Ice Cream Swirl. Customers will appreciate the smooth and creamy flavor of this low fat alternative to ice cream. The fact that this is naturally flavored, makes this the perfect treat for the entire family! By recognizing the growing popularity of emerging flavor trends like Pomegranate, our new Sorbet Swirls provide convenience stores the opportunity to capture incremental sales on these grab-and-go summer treats.

Winner: Technology - Hardware

Consumer Activated Touchscreen MX870
VeriFone Inc.

Are you aware of the new PIN pad security requirements? Do you know if you are PCI-compliant? The MX870 empowers petroleum retailers with a PCI-approved PIN pad that offers dynamic in-store promotions and upselling opportunities. This consumer-activated touch screen not only speeds the line and is Ruby-compatible; it also merges secure payment capabilities, a full-color display and high-quality digital video and sound into one compelling system. Field-replaceable modules allow retailers to conveniently add functionality and future-proof their investment.
Finalists: Technology - Hardware

Sentinel Bulk Coin with Note Dispenser – Tidel

Tidel’s revolutionary Sentinel™ Cash Management System has set the standard for cash control while interfacing with POS devices and other peripherals such as bill validators. The Sentinel BCND (Bulk Coin Note Dispenser) builds on this by offering bulk coin and note dispensing in any quantity. Coins are dispensed into individual cups and the note dispenser is capable of managing up to 4 canisters of 500 notes each. The convenient note dispenser allows secure and accountable dispensing of larger volumes of notes for cash back on debit cards, check cashing, lottery payout and quick replenishment of till funds.

Express Ordering Service – Gilbarco

The Gilbarco Express Ordering system is a self-service food ordering system that improves efficiency and increases upselling and add-ons.  It allows foodservice customers to control their ordering experience and get exactly what they want, faster.  The product also leverages sophisticated merchandising tools to maximize average ticket size and streamline operations to deliver a measurable return on investment. 

Winner: Technology - Software

Enterprise
PDI

Enterprise is a software system spanning financial, operations and business intelligence for convenience-store and wholesale petroleum marketers. Robust price rules and business alerts support retailers’ go-to market strategy, surfacing attention-needing issues. Designed from the ground up to do business electronically, Enterprise automates business processes with industry-standard interfaces to supply chain and POS systems. Using Microsoft .NET technology and single-database architecture, Enterprise and a wide-area network eliminate at-risk distributed data and simplify software distribution.

Finalists: Technology - Software

E2 Facility Management System – Emerson Climate Technologies

Emerson’s industry leading E2 Facility Management System seamlessly combines control of a convenience store’s refrigeration, lighting, and HVAC systems into one powerful platform. This integration and Emerson’s patented algorithms reduce a retailer’s energy consumption by an average of 10-15%. With internet connectivity, stores are accessed remotely, enabling remote diagnostics and monitoring—decreasing both service calls and overall maintenance costs.

Palm.kiosk – Pinnacle

The self service kiosk is an extension of Pinnacle’s Palm POS, adding even more integration convenience to their solutions offerings for current and future Pinnacle clients. Palm.kiosk will be offered on multiple hardware platforms including Ultimate Technologies, NCR, Pro-Tech and Meridian; and will support all basic QSR requirements of the convenient store industry. Initially, Palm.kiosk TM includes food service order operation capabilities but will be expanded to include additional functionality in the near future. The Palm.kiosk is powered by Xpedient.

Winner: Cigarettes

Marlboro Smooth Menthol
Philip Morris USA

Philip Morris USA introduced Marlboro Smooth, a new menthol product in the Marlboro family, in March 2007. This line extension reinforces Marlboro’s flavor heritage and its position as a leader in the premium category by offering adult smokers a unique taste. New product introductions and line extensions have historically gained market share for Philip Morris USA, according to the company.

Finalists: Cigarettes

32 Degrees Menthol – General Tobacco

32 Degrees is a new brand of menthol cigarettes. The latest addition to the GT catalog will offer menthol cigarette smokers four varieties to choose from including Full, Mild, Light and Max flavor. 32 Degrees will also mark the first time GT presents an innovative and perfectly blended cigarette that offers smokers more menthol than Full flavor brands. 32 Degrees will also have an equally impressive campaign featuring modern packaging, exciting consumer promotions and advertising. It will be affordably priced matching the perfectly blended combination of tobacco and menthol.

Naturals King Size Ultra & Menthol – Nat Sherman, Inc.

Nat Sherman is proud to introduce new Naturals King-Size, a truly unique blend of only the finest 100% additive-free tobaccos, grown and crafted in the United States. This entirely new blend creates both a distinctive and mellow flavor. Naturals King is an 85mm king size cigarette that is available in a standard flip-top box at premium price that is sure to appeal to a wider audience of adult smokers. Naturals King are available in both full flavor and lights, and is conveniently packaged in a more conventional box that is sure to entice the discriminating smoker looking for an uncompromised smoking experience.

Winner: Cigars

White Owl Grape Flavor Foil Fresh Blunts
Swedish Match North America

White Owl’s FoilFresh Grape Cigars combine a trusted brand and leading-edge, resealable foil pouch packaging. White Owl FoilFresh Cigars are fresh as the day they were made—guaranteed, according to the company. Swedish Match is a unique tobacco company with a broad range of market-leading brands in the product areas of snuff, cigars, pipe tobacco and chewing tobacco, as well as matches and lighters.
Finalists: Cigars

Happy Hour Cigars – USA Tobacco Company/Prime Time International

Happy Hour Little Cigars, the new line of flavored little cigars from the maker’s of Prime Time. Inspired by your favorite cocktails, Happy Hour combines two of life’s great pleasures –– smooth tobacco taste, with delicious cocktail flavors. Available in four flavors: Cosmo (Cranberry flavored with a hint of Orange); Appletini (Sour Apple flavored with a citrus twist); Piña Colada (classic Pineapple & Coconut blend); and Bellini (Peach flavored with a splash of Champagne), in Individually Packaged Singles, and 10 ct. Hard Packs.

Optimo Grape Flavor Cigarillos – Swisher International

Swisher International has added a grape flavor to its line of Optimo cigarillos. Optimo fans can now treat their taste buds to the flavor of Optimo Grape Cigarillos. Bursting with grape flavor, this mild cigar combines the cigarillo size with a new flavor. It is available only from Swisher, in five-packs, a bonus-box 60 and 25-count impulse displays.

Winner: Other Tobacco Products

Skoal Citrus Blend Long Cut & Pouches
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co.

Skoal Citrus Blend is the latest twist on UST’s line of Skoal products. Made from premium, 100% American-grown tobacco, Citrus Blend has a clean, crisp taste available in a choice of Long Cut or Pouches. Skoal is now available in 21 flavors, cuts and formats. Flavor varieties include Original Skoal Wintergreen plus Straight, Mint, Classic, Cherry and Spearmint, as well as more recent blends such as Berry Blend, Vanilla Blend, Apple Blend and Peach Blend.
Finalists: Other Tobacco Products

TRIP Transparent Rolling Papers – HBI

HBI International has introduced the industry’s first totally transparent rolling papers to complement retailers’ offerings in their other tobacco products sets. TRIP-branded papers are made with clear plant cellulose. Each paper is clear, so customers can see exactly what they are smoking. TRIP is available in both 1.25-inch and king sizes and come in countertop retail displays.

Stonewall Wintergreen Dissolvable Tobacco – Star Scientific

Enjoy it anywhere you want! It provides real tobacco satisfaction. Stonewall is an innovative hard snuff tobacco product that requires no spitting. The product is compressed, powdered tobacco in the form of a tablet, that is designed to dissolve in the mouth. Each pack contains 20 pieces.

Winner: Overall Best New Packaging

Heineken Light Slimline Can
Heineken USA

Heineken Premium Light now comes in a 12-ounce slim can, which delivers imagery consistent with the elegance and unique design of its bottle counterpart and allows its fans to enjoy it in no-glass areas. Heineken Premium Light 12-ounce cans are available in both a 12-can fridge pack and a 24-pack suitcase. The packaging has been specifically designed to differentiate it from Heineken Lager, as well as other beer offerings.

Finalists: Overall Best New Packaging

700 ml Sport Bottle – Nestle Waters

Nestlé Waters new 700 mL Sport Bottle was designed for active, on-the-go lifestyles. The Sport Bottle has a Built in Grip, and a resealable Flip Cap for easy, one-handed drinking. The Plastic Label stands up to water or sweat, and the Sleek Bottle fits car cup holders and bike water bottle holders. Filled with Nestlé’s great tasting natural spring waters, the Sport Bottle shows, once again, that A little natural does a lot of good™.

Zotes Sunflower Seeds – Zotes Sunflower Seeds

Available in a can! Some choices are hard. Is it the blonde or the redhead? Should you comb-over from the left or right? Lucky for you, we aim to make your life simpler. Spreading ZOTES is the easiest choice you’ll ever make. Welcome to the world of ZOTES. Anything is possible. You want Bleu Cheese? Tequila Lime? Garlic Roast? Done. As the saying goes, we pride ourselves on finding new ways to impress taste buds. It’s just what we do.