12 minute read
New Products
from CSN-0821
by ensembleiq
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6. Vitaminwater New Varieties
Twenty-five years after first coming to the market, two new varieties are joining the vitaminwater line. Gutsy is watermelon peach flavored and has 5 grams of prebiotic fiber that aids in digestion to support gut health. Look is blueberry hibiscus flavored and contains Vitamin A and lutein to support eye health. The beverage brand now offers a range of 12 innovative and harder-working hydrating solutions with nutrients to address real human needs.
The Coca-Cola Co. Atlanta vitaminwater.com
7. Orbit Gum Mega Pack
As the country begins to reopen, Orbit Gum is readying people for more close encounters with its new 30-piece Mega Pack, available in Peppermint and Spearmint varieties. It is the first-ever Mars Wrigley product to partner with and feature an on-pack guide from How2Recycle, a standardized labeling system that communicates a step-by-step guide on whether and how to recycle each part of the pack. The product’s outer plastic package is designed to be recycled in roughly half of U.S. recycling streams, with more locations to follow.
Mars Wrigley US Newark, N.J. orbitgum.com
8. Premier Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake
Premier Protein expands its line of 30g High Protein Shakes with a new Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor. Each shake has 30 grams of protein, 160 calories, one gram of sugar, and 24 vitamins and minerals per serving. The Chocolate Peanut Butter protein shake helps support a healthy immune system thanks to antioxidants Vitamins C and E, and all Premier Protein shakes are low fat, keto friendly, and gluten free.
Premier Nutrition Co. LLC Emeryville, Calif. premierprotein.com
9. Kool-Aid Brand Cotton Candy
Hilco joined forces with The Kraft Heinz Co. to create Kool-Aid brand cotton candy. The new product enables consumers to bring home special treats they might normally get at the county fair. Kool-Aid Cotton Candy is available in two package sizes: a four-ounce tub that comes with a combination of tropical punch and cherry flavors, and a 1.5-ounce peg bag that contains just the tropical punch flavor. Suggested retail prices are $3.99 to $4.99 for the tub, and $1.49 to $1.99 for the peg bag.
Hilco Louisville, Ky. hilcousa.com
10. Safe-T-Fresh Microwaveables
Inline Plastics introduces Safe-T-Fresh Microwaveables, its first microwave-safe, tamper-evident and recyclable containers. They are available in both vented (PPTS5XV) and non-vented (PPTS5X5) options. Safe-T-Fresh Microwaveables are made with a microwave-safe polypropylene material that prevents condensation and maintains superior clarity in order to promote impulse purchases and repeat sales, according to the company.
Inline Plastics Corp. Shelton, Conn. inlineplastics.com/product_line/microwaveables
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30 YEARS OF GROWTH & 8,000 STORES
CELEBRATING GROWTH WITH HUNT BROTHERS® PIZZA C-STORE OWNERS
A family business founded by four brothers from Indiana, Hunt Brothers® Pizza now operates under its second generation of leadership: CEO Scott Hunt and family members (Bryan Meng and Britt, Erin, Adam and Frank Hunt) who keep the original values going strong. This year, the company is celebrating 30 years of growth in the convenience store industry and reflecting on how the four Hunt brothers laid the foundation for a simple branded pizza program built on serving c-store owners well.
Designing their pizza programs with c-stores in mind, Hunt Brothers Pizza approaches their program with the goal of making c-stores more valuable. “We help the stores understand their profitability. If they are successful, we are successful,” adds Bryan Meng, Hunt Brothers Pizza COO.
Having grown to 8,000 stores nationwide, Hunt Brothers Pizza recognizes that any larger growth is a result of strong c-store partnerships. C-store owners across the country have seen results from the way Hunt Brothers Pizza works to be a blessing to them, including financial profits, community relationships and much more.
A BRANDED PIZZA PROGRAM A BRANDED PIZZA PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR C-STORES DESIGNED FOR C-STORES
“ “ It’s good pizza and we sell a bunch of It’s good pizza and we sell a bunch of it,” Hills says. “The Grab and Go program it,” Hills says. “The Grab and Go program is perfect for lunch.” He offers numerous is perfect for lunch.” He offers numerous specials to make Hunt Brothers Pizza specials to make Hunt Brothers Pizza accessible to everyone in town. “It helps get accessible to everyone in town. “It helps get lunch crowds in the doors and it gives them lunch crowds in the doors and it gives them an opportunity for something different than an opportunity for something different than restaurants,” he adds. “It’s fast and ready restaurants,” he adds. “It’s fast and ready to eat.”to eat.”
C-Store: Cuzz’s 66 Owner: Mark and Sue DozierC-Store: Cuzz’s 66 Owner: Mark and Sue Dozier
Location: Thomasville, AlabamaLocation: Thomasville, Alabama In 1999, Mark and Sue Dozier ran a small gas station. Over In 1999, Mark and Sue Dozier ran a small gas station. Over the past 22 years it has been rebuilt and grown into a modern the past 22 years it has been rebuilt and grown into a modern convenience store with the Doziers happily serving customers convenience store with the Doziers happily serving customers through a “perfect partnership with Hunt Brothers Pizza.” through a “perfect partnership with Hunt Brothers Pizza.” Immediately following the rebuild, they partnered with Hunt Immediately following the rebuild, they partnered with Hunt Brothers Pizza and haven’t doubted that decision to this day. Brothers Pizza and haven’t doubted that decision to this day. “Hunt Brothers is very professional at what they do,” Sue says. “Hunt Brothers is very professional at what they do,” Sue says. “We’ve tried different pizza brands, and nothing comes close “We’ve tried different pizza brands, and nothing comes close to the taste and quality of their food. It’s the best thing we’ve to the taste and quality of their food. It’s the best thing we’ve done for our store.”done for our store.” With Hunt Brothers Pizza currently in both of their stores, the With Hunt Brothers Pizza currently in both of their stores, the Doziers’ second location has a deli service, and the branded Doziers’ second location has a deli service, and the branded pizza program is a nice addition to that. “The pizza grows pizza program is a nice addition to that. “The pizza grows the overall basket ring” and is a nice complement to existing the overall basket ring” and is a nice complement to existing programs, Sue remarks.programs, Sue remarks. Sue adds that they frequently run out of pizza since it’s Sue adds that they frequently run out of pizza since it’s the “number one pizza in town.” They’ve had 300-pizza the “number one pizza in town.” They’ve had 300-pizza days, which has led to an investment in more ovens to days, which has led to an investment in more ovens to accommodate the high demand for pizzas in their community. accommodate the high demand for pizzas in their community. “I wish more vendors actually took interest in stores like Hunt “I wish more vendors actually took interest in stores like Hunt Brothers Pizza,” Sue reflects. “Most Account Managers we’ve Brothers Pizza,” Sue reflects. “Most Account Managers we’ve worked with have been exceptional, but there’s been a few worked with have been exceptional, but there’s been a few that have gone above and beyond to help our store and its that have gone above and beyond to help our store and its local community.”local community.” His current Hunt Brother Pizza Professional has done His current Hunt Brother Pizza Professional has done everything they can to make sure Hills’ business stays on everything they can to make sure Hills’ business stays on track, always available to help when needed. Hills hopes his track, always available to help when needed. Hills hopes his partnership with Hunt Brothers Pizza continues to benefit his partnership with Hunt Brothers Pizza continues to benefit his local community for many years to come. local community for many years to come.
BUILDING TRUST WITH BUILDING TRUST WITH CONSISTENCY AND COMMUNITY CONSISTENCY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTSUPPORT
C-Store: Busy Bee Owner: Elizabeth WaringC-Store: Busy Bee Owner: Elizabeth Waring Location: Lake City, Florida Location: Lake City, Florida
A LONG HISTORY OF SERVING A LONG HISTORY OF SERVING CONSUMERS WELL CONSUMERS WELL
C-Store: Hills Citgo Owner: Mike HillsC-Store: Hills Citgo Owner: Mike Hills Location: Racine, OhioLocation: Racine, Ohio In his small town on the Ohio River, Mike Hills saw the opportunity to turn a small convenience store into something special. For nearly 20 years Mike has worked together with Hunt Brothers Pizza to provide amazing pizza to his town, wanting to serve his customers the best food he can. Mike’s partnership with Hunt Brothers Pizza began when a representative of the company approached him. He offered Mike the chance to sell Hunt Brothers Pizza, and after starting out with a single oven, the results are still paying off for Mike’s store today.
In his small town on the Ohio River, Mike Hills saw the opportunity to turn a small convenience store into something special. For nearly 20 years Mike has worked together with Hunt Brothers Pizza to provide amazing pizza to his town, wanting to serve his customers the best food he can. Mike’s partnership with Hunt Brothers Pizza began when a representative of the company approached him. He offered Mike the chance to sell Hunt Brothers Pizza, and after starting out with a single oven, the results are still paying off for Mike’s store today.
Elizabeth Waring’s family are third-generation c-store owners Elizabeth Waring’s family are third-generation c-store owners and currently own Busy Bee, a family-owned “superstore.” and currently own Busy Bee, a family-owned “superstore.” Growing up in the business, Waring has seen the industry evolve. Growing up in the business, Waring has seen the industry evolve. One of her keys to success is a branded foodservice program. One of her keys to success is a branded foodservice program.
“Seeing a recognizable product builds trust and instant credibility,” she notes. The
Warings have partnered with plenty of foodservice programs, but their partnership with Hunt Brothers Pizza has been “one of the best partnerships we’ve made.”
According to Waring, whose business is currently in five locations and has been a partner of Hunt Brothers Pizza for over eight years, “the Grab and Go program offers customers a great option that is consistent quality and the type of food people will come back to.”
She also remarks, “People are one of the keys to success no matter the business.” Hunt Brothers Pizza has done everything they could to assist Waring’s local community. During the pandemic, Busy Bee wanted to ensure they supported the efforts and the additional work truck drivers were having to endure during the last year, so they opened an additional location selling Hunt Brothers Pizza to help them access proper meals while working.
Hunt Brothers Pizza also donates yearly to Busy Bee’s charity at their local golf tournament. Most importantly, Waring notes that “Hunt Brothers Pizza is a contributor to the community and participates in many events to support us, even though they don’t directly benefit from the event.”
ADAPTABILITY DURING TOUGH TIMES
C-Store: Jet Food Stores Director of Food Operations: Matthew Turner Location: 54 Locations Across Georgia Purchased as a new business venture, Jet Food Stores began as a 19-store chain and now operates at over 50 locations. “Drawing customers to our quality foodservice experience has been key to growing existing locations and entering new markets,” Turner says.
For Turner, the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a unique time in which the company’s care for its customers shone through, from keeping operations as consistent as possible to continuing as a reliable source for a great meal. “Offering quality foodservice in towns that do not have much available to them has been great,” he says, “Our customers had a fresh, local option any time of day, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Turner gathers with his team. Courtesy: Matthew Turner
The company also partnered with Jet to thank local law enforcement and healthcare workers in several communities. “We gave away free Hunk A Pizza®s and whole pizzas as a thank you to those who served our communities tirelessly during the pandemic,” Turner recalls. “We look forward to impacting more communities in the future in the same way.”
UNPARALLELED SERVICE AND SUPPORT
Guided by their values and principles, Hunt Brothers Pizza has grown by focusing on being a blessing to each store. One main way this comes to life is through Account Managers who provide direct store delivery.
For example, Busy Bee’s current Account Manager has gone “above and beyond” meeting all of the Waring family’s needs. His, along with the overall company’s, genuine passion to see smaller businesses succeed has helped their flow of business become “absolutely seamless.”
LOOKING AHEAD TO YEARS OF BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
Without strong partnerships with customers, Hunt Brothers Pizza couldn’t have enjoyed the 30 years of growth we celebrate today. The company puts their customers first because without customer dedication, growth would be hard to come by. “Something we’ve learned is to keep it simple,” Hunt says, “We understand convenience stores, and our products haven’t changed over time.”
From the moment the original Hunt Brothers wanted to do things differently, an exciting new opportunity for c-store owners came to life. With 8,000 stores actively benefiting from Hunt Brothers Pizza’s leadership in the industry, many more are sure to follow, promoting the brothers’ original vision of being a blessing for years to come.
SAVE THE DATE
NOVEMBER 9 & 10, 2021
CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA
Solving the Post-Pandemic Riddle:
The Summit for Exploring Food Trends, Operations, Safety & Technology Through Collaboration & Networking
Contact Don Longo to request your exclusive invitation. dlongo@ensembleiq.com
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