7-Eleven supporting emerging food and beverage brands

7-Eleven supporting emerging food and beverage brands

Food Entrepreneur IRVING, TEXAS โ€” Dozens of emerging food and beverage brands were selected to attend 7-Elevenโ€™s Brands with Heart showcase, now in its fifth year.

The two-day event provides coaching, mentoring and education sessions, as well as an opportunity to present products to the companyโ€™s merchandising team. Following the showcase, held Nov. 1-2 at the 7-Eleven Store Support Center in Irving, a selection of brands will be picked to participate in in-store tests at 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes convenience stores across the country.

7-Eleven, Inc. said itโ€™s seeking to expand its product offerings beyond the traditional gas station assortment with a variety of snacks, beverages and better-for-you items, while also elevating and partnering with up-and-coming companies that โ€œexhibit purpose-driven elements within their products and business.โ€

โ€œWe believe our role as a leading retailer goes beyond simply providing innovative products to our customers โ€” itโ€™s about making a lasting difference in the communities we serve,โ€ Marissa Jarratt, executive vice president and chief marketing and sustainability officer at 7-Eleven. โ€œThis year, for the first time ever, every one of our Brands with Heart participants demonstrates a purpose-driven element, bringing us one step closer to achieving this goal. Weโ€™re excited to welcome these outstanding brands to the 7-Eleven family.โ€

Brands with Heart participants represent a range of product concepts, from functional beverages and protein bars to sustainable seafood snacks and zero-proof drinks. Companies include Better Sour, gummy candy with globally inspired sour flavors; Deux, cookie dough formulated with functional ingredients; Filloโ€™s, ready-to-eat tamales; and Perfy, low-sugar soft drinks enhanced with adaptogens and nootropics.

โ€œAt 7-Eleven, weโ€™re proud to be a platform for new and innovative brands to introduce their products to the world,โ€ said Adam Franks, director of private and emerging Brands at 7-Eleven. โ€œNot only do these products taste greatโ€ฆ but theyโ€™re doing great things, too. We canโ€™t wait for our customers to see them on shelves across the country.โ€ 

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