7-Eleven® Partners with Pillsbury® to Introduce Retailer's First Warm Cinnamon Roll

DALLAS, Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The mornings just got a little sweeter at 7-Eleven^® stores with the introduction of a new Pillsbury^® Cinnamon Roll, the retailer's first warm bakery offering and the first Pillsbury branded fresh-bakery item with a convenience retailer.

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Available with hot foods as well as in the fresh bakery case at participating stores, 7-Eleven's sweetly spiced version invokes the nostalgic, baked-at-home flavor of America's favorite Pillsbury sweet roll. The suggested retail price is $1.69.

To encourage customers to sample, a limited-time coupon for a free cinnamon roll will be available on 7-Eleven's app beginning Sept. 10. Other limited-time offers featuring the sweet pastry will continue in the coming weeks, and customers are encouraged to check their smartphones often for additional mobile coupons. All 7-Eleven app coupons are good at participating stores, while supplies last.

7-Eleven's fresh food innovations team worked for more than a year on the development with Pillsbury to ensure consistent product quality. Prepared and baked fresh daily in local bakeries across the country, the cinnamon rolls are delivered overnight to stores before the morning coffee crowd arrives.

"Our goal in partnering with Pillsbury was to create an indulgent cinnamon roll that looked and tasted homemade," said Kelly Buckley, 7-Eleven, Inc. vice president of fresh food innovation. "For more than 100 years, Pillsbury has been 'the' name in home-baking. Now, 7-Eleven can offer the homemade taste in a convenient, grab-and-go setting."

During the morning rush, participating 7-Eleven stores can serve the cinnamon rolls warm in mini bakery boxes. Created just for the Pillsbury cinnamon roll, the microwave-safe boxes also are available at the bakery case for customers who choose to select an unheated roll to eat later. Rolls take just 10 seconds to heat in a microwave oven in the bakery boxes.

"We expect the Pillsbury cinnamon roll will be a hot-seller in the mornings when people are stopping by to grab a cup of coffee on their way to work or school," Buckley said. "However, experience tells us that lots of our customers come into our stores in the afternoons and even late at night looking for a sweet and satisfying treat."

Wearing red-checked oven mitts, the Poppin' Fresh Pillsbury Doughboy character can be seen popping up on in-store signage to promote 7-Eleven's first Pillsbury-branded fresh bakery item.

"Partnering with 7-Eleven gives General Mills an opportunity to bring the fresh-baked goodness of a ready-to-eat Pillsbury-branded cinnamon roll to millions of people," said Randy Johnson, General Mills Inc. market manager. "I believe the aroma in the stores and rich taste of these warm cinnamon rolls will make them a hit with 7-Eleven's customers."

Mobile coupons – for a free cinnamon roll, 75-cent discount, or a free roll with the purchase of a medium coffee – will be available on 7-Eleven's smartphone app now through the end of October.

Cinnamon isn't the only spice at 7-Eleven ushering in cooler temperatures. It wouldn't be fall without Pumpkin Spice, one of 7-Eleven's customers' favorite hot beverage flavors and back for a limited time. Customers can choose Pumpkin Spice-flavored lattes or brewed coffee. Even the creamer is in on the action, with International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice flavor also available while supplies last.

"Pumpkin Spice Latte is a sign that autumn has unofficially arrived," said Nancy Smith, 7-Eleven vice president of fresh foods merchandising. "Warm cinnamon rolls and hot pumpkin spice lattes and brewed coffees are seasonal comfort tastes at their best, whether heading out to work in the morning, a ballgame in the evening or as an afternoon treat."

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 nearly 10,200 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, 7-Eleven has more than 51,100 stores in 16 countries. During 2012, 7-Eleven stores generated total worldwide sales close to $84.8 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #1 spot on Entrepreneur magazine's 2013 Top 200 Global;  #2 on Forbes magazine's 2011 list of Top Franchises for the Money; #3 spot on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for 2012; #2 in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies. 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.  Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven among its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven received the 2010 Retailer of the Year honor from PL Buyer because of the company's private-label brand initiative. 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.

SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc.