Retailers, Foodservice Operators Tap New Markets

7-Eleven, Peet’s Coffee, and Subway revealed today that they are expanding their market reach with new offerings.

7-Eleven said it is bringing flavored cold brews to its 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores.

"With our newest cold brew flavor innovation, we're giving coffee lovers a deliciously innovative range of options to elevate their morning ritual or midday pick-me-up," said Dennis Phelps, SVP of merchandising at 7-Eleven, in a statement. "At 7-Eleven, we are constantly exploring new ways to delight our customers and enhance their beverage experience."

Cold brew coffee additions include Mocha Cold Brew Latte, French Vanilla Cold Brew Latte, and Caramel Cream Cold Brew.

During a presentation at The NGA Show in Las Vegas, Arthur Lopez, VP of marketing for coffee and tea supplier Finlay’s, discussed the untapped potential of ready-to-drink coffee within the category. He explained that RTD coffee is now showing signs of maturation and that it is the perfect time for grocery chains to bring these offerings into the marketplace. 

Additionally, the retailer is adding flavors to its other coffee staples, including the Salted Caramel Latte, Pecan Pie Latte, Macadamia Nut Latte, Sweet Treat Cappuccino. On the tea side, the c-store chain is adding Sweet Iced Tea, Raspberry Hibiscus, and Lemon Elderberry to its private-label iced tea brand.

Peet’s Coffee’s latest offerings provide more options to plant-based and flexitarian eaters. New options include:

• Honey Almond Latte with Almond Milk

• Honey Almond Matcha Latte with Almond Milk

• Almond Cold Brew Oat Latte

• Southwest Breakfast Burrito made with plant-based chorizo, JUST Egg, and Violife cheddar

• Everything Plant-Based Sandwich made with Beyond Breakfast Sausage, JUST Egg, and vegan cheddar on an everything bagel

Subway, in partnership with specialty foods manufacturer T. Marzetti Company, is bringing four of its sauces into grocery stores across the U.S. in celebration of National Sauce Month.

"Subway fans love our signature sauces. Three of the new retail sauces–Sweet Onion Teriyaki, Roasted Garlic Aioli, and Baja Chipotle–are inspired by guests' in-restaurant favorites, and we've added an exclusive flavor to this collection with a Creamy Italian MVP, a new twist on Subway's MVP Parmesan Vinaigrette," said Paul Fabre, SVP of culinary and innovation at Subway, in a statement. "This partnership takes our sauces to another level and enables our fans to take their culinary creations from ordinary to extraordinary while also contributing to an important cause."

The Subway Sauce program helps support the Fresh Start Scholarship Fund, a program that offers tuition assistance to Subway employees. Scholarship recipients receive $2,500 towards their secondary education.

The bottled sauces come in a 16-ounce format and will debut at Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons stores this week, with further expansions planned.