7-Eleven
Fanta Mango is the first flavor of Lite Slurpee. Next up: Strawberry Banana and Cherry Lemonade.
By Rob Neill
It probably says something more about America than it does about 7-Eleven, but starting this month the retailer is rolling out a product that seems right for its time: a sugar-free Slurpee.
Fanta Sugar-Free Mango is this months diet flavor. 7-Eleven said it has spent two years coming up with the formula for a simple reason: customer demand.
For years weve gotten calls through our guest relations hot line, When are you going to have a diet Slurpee? company spokeswoman Margaret Chabris said. The calls have come not only from the weight-conscious but from diabetics and those with other nutritional issues, she said.
We worked at that formula for two years, trying to nail the right attributes of the Slurpee. Not just the taste. But you need to have Slurpee all the way to the bottom of the cup, not just water and ice.
Cost will be the same as a standard Slurpee. Formulas may differ, but for example the Fanta Wild Cherry is 66 calories for 8 ounces. The diet equivalent is 20 calories. It will be available at all participating 6,700 7-Elevens in the U.S.
It'sunknown how many people, if any,drink Slurpees in 8-ounce servings. According to 7-Eleven literature, each year Americans drink enough Slurpees to fill 44 Olympic-sized swimming pools
It also makes business sense to try something new.Americans are drinking fewer soft drinks -- although its still about two a day for each person.
