It's a Wrap: 7-Eleven(R) Introduces Gourmet Wrap Sandwiches DALLAS, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- To answer consumer demand for a fresh, tasty alternative to the traditional lunchtime burger and fries, 7-Eleven, Inc. is introducing two Big Eats(R) Wrap sandwiches -- Turkey and Capicolla Ham Club and Chicken Breast with Southwestern Mustard -- at thousands of stores this month. Made fresh daily in local USDA-inspected kitchens, the Big Eats Wraps retail for $3.69 each. In keeping with the company's expanding menu of high-quality and gourmet- style fresh food items, the goal was to create not only a lighter-tasting menu substitute to heavier lunchtime options, but also one that was portable and easy to eat, according to Joanne DeLorenzo, 7-Eleven vice president of fresh foods merchandising. Another growing trend that directed the development of the new Big Eats Wraps was the increasing interest in bolder, international flavors. Based on positive feedback in initial taste tests, DeLorenzo said she believes the first two introductions will appeal to 7-Eleven customers: -- Turkey and Capicolla Ham Club -- Capicolla ham and roasted turkey with bacon bits, asiago cheese, romaine lettuce and basil aioli spread on a sun-dried tomato flour tortilla -- Chicken Breast with Southwestern Mustard -- Roasted chicken, red bell pepper, red onion rings, julienne radish, romaine lettuce and Southwestern mustard on a spinach flour tortilla "Consumers are more adventurous in the flavors and foods they will try," DeLorenzo said. "We want to appeal to that demand for more variety. The fresh-foods team set out to create wraps that combine bold flavors with an interesting variety of ingredients. Our goal was to help our customers integrate some fresh and flavorful meal alternatives into their on-the-go lifestyles." Indeed, one of the greatest challenges was to make the Big Eats Wrap -- package and all -- a car-friendly, easy-to-eat lunchtime alternative. "Once we cleared the hurdle of ingredients that won't fall out and sauces that don't drip, the next question was, 'is it easy for our on-the-go customer to carry and consume,'" DeLorenzo said. Working closely with packaging suppliers, the 7-Eleven fresh-foods group developed an exclusive package that holds the wraps in an upright position. "Of course, the package had to fit in a car cup holder, something we're known for," DeLorenzo said. "The wrap comes inside a plastic cellophane bag with easy tear-off pouch that sits inside a cardboard package. It will easily travel in a car cup holder or sit on a desk." Since their introduction in the 1980s to sprout-and-tofu-loving diners on the West Coast, wraps have become a mainstream sandwich variety, gaining even greater popularity nationally after the low-carb diet caught consumers' attention. DeLorenzo said she expects the Big Eats Wrap to be a popular choice among all 7-Eleven customers, because of its fresh taste and dining convenience. "You hear something almost every day about people's on-the-go active lifestyles, the move to fresher ingredients, and the addition of more vegetables and fruits on menus," she said. "I think the new wrap sandwiches, with veggies like lettuce, onions, peppers and radishes will be a natural choice for 7-Eleven customers." The company plans to introduce new Big Eats Wrap varieties periodically. About 7-Eleven, Inc. 7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven, Inc. operates or franchises approximately 5,800 7-Eleven(R) stores in the United States and Canada and licenses approximately 22,000 7-Eleven stores in 17 other countries and U.S. territories throughout the world. During 2004, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $41 billion. Find out more online at http://www.7-eleven.com/. CONTACT: KEVIN GARDNER 7-ELEVEN, INC. 214.828.7345 DATASOURCE: 7-Eleven, Inc. CONTACT: Kevin Gardner of 7-Eleven, +1-214-828-7345, or Web site: http://www.7-eleven.com/

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