DALLAS – 7-Eleven Inc. continues
to answer consumers’ 24-hour need for small-portioned foods, snacks and
mini-meals with an evolving menu of bits, bites and snacks – all at a sweet
price. The newest hot snacks to join the mini-meal scene at 7-Eleven stores are
Corn Dog Bites, Mozzarella Sticks with a side of Marinara Sauce and Chicken
Chipotle Go-GoTaquitos.
Snacking isn't a special
dining occasion anymore; it's the norm. Americans typically eat more than 1,000
so-called snacks each year, or between two and three each day, according to a
study by The NPD Group. The reasons for choosing these mini-meals vary: lack of
time, a small-meals diet regimen, sudden craving, afternoon pick-me-up or
late-night treat among them
“Millennials and the
generation coming behind them are snackers, and I don't see them returning to
the traditional three-meals-a-day standard,” said Kelly Buckley, 7-Eleven vice
president of fresh food innovation, in a press release. “They were busy as
youngsters, and life has gotten no less hectic for them as young adults. Kids,
teens and 20-somethings are the biggest snackers. As even meals become more
snack-like, 7-Eleven is adding smaller portions, mini-sizes and bites, and the
public is eating them up, so to speak.”
Earlier this year,
7-Eleven added Breakfast Empanada Bites following the successful launch of its
Mini Tacos last year. Both snack-sized options have gained a loyal following,
as have 7-Eleven stores' chicken wings and tenders.
For customers looking for
a better-for-you snacking option, 7-Eleven sells fresh-cut and whole fruit and
veggie trays with dip. NPD's SnackTrack, which regularly monitors snack food
consumption, finds that fresh fruit remains near the top of favorite snack
foods.