Charlotte, NC, 2014-8-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Cheerwine, the “legendary soft drink of the South,” has been described as best served bone-chilling cold, which makes it a perfect new flavor for 7-Eleven, Inc.’s iconic Slurpee® semi-frozen carbonated drink. Now Carolina Cheerwine followers can find their favorite cherry-flavored beverage in frozen form at 131 7-Eleven® stores in North and South Carolina.
Created almost 100 years ago, Cheerwine has its roots in North Carolina, although the rich red carbonated drink has fans across the United States and even around the world. Cheerwine-lovers living outside the South seek the soft drink in specialty grocers, vintage soda shops, barbecue joints and other outlets found on www.cheerwinefinder.com, a website dedicated to connecting fans with their favorite drink.
“Our Carolina stores have carried Cheerwine soda, but locals really love having their favorite Southern soft drink as a Slurpee,” said Nancy Smith, 7-Eleven senior vice president of fresh foods and proprietary beverages. “Some tourists visiting North Carolina try Cheerwine for the first time as a Slurpee and then purchase it in cans or bottles to take home with them.”
7-Eleven began experimenting with local flavors earlier this year with the introduction of a Vernors Ginger Ale Slurpee drink in its Michigan stores, which drew enthusiastic crowds to its stores. Likewise, Cheerwine aficionadas are discovering the Slurpee version of their favorite. Other local Slurpee flavors include Squirt in Los Angeles-area 7-Eleven stores and Big Red in greater San Antonio 7-Elevenoutlets.
“Our goal is to get to know our guests and carry not only the products they expect to find at 7-Eleven, but also surprise them with new, unusual and fun items not typically found at a convenience store or anywhere else,” Smith said. “And those can vary depending on the state, city, sometimes even the neighborhood. These niche flavors have proved to be true hometown favorites because they’re what the locals love and crave.”
About 7-Eleven, Inc.
7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas,7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 10,300 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, more than 53,500 7-Eleven stores operate in 16 countries. During 2013, 7-Eleven stores generated total worldwide sales close to $84.5 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies for 2013; #3 spot on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 2012, and #3 in Forbes magazine’s Top 20 Franchises to Start. 7-Eleven is No. 3 on Fast Company magazine’s 2013 list of the “World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Retail” and among the Top Veteran-Friendly Companies for 2013 by U.S. Veterans Magazine and on GI Jobs magazine’s Top 100 Military Friendly Employers for 2014. Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven among its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.
Contact:
Margaret Chabris
7-Eleven, Inc.
972-828-7285
margaret.chabris@7-11.com
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