7-Eleven(R) Dessert Served at Dinner Parties; Gourmet Sorbet in Fruit Shells Introduced Exclusively at 7-Eleven Stores

DALLAS, July 1 -- Sorbet isn't just for palate-cleansing at fancy restaurants anymore, although that has been the exclusive purview of Island Way Sorbet, a frozen novelty treat. 7-Eleven, Inc. is introducing the unique frozen gourmet dessert in its stores this month.

Unlike other frozen novelties, Island Way Sorbet doesn't come in a paper bowl or on a stick. Each of the five fruit flavors is served in its own fruit shell. The fresh fruit is cut in half, hollowed out and made into sorbet, returned to its fruit shell and flash frozen. A spoon is enclosed in each package. Flavors include orange, lemon, apple, pineapple and coconut. Suggested retail prices are $1.29 for the lemon, orange and apple; $1.99 for pineapple and coconut.

"This frozen treat is impressive enough to serve at dinner parties," said Kurt Schumacher, category manager for 7-Eleven, Inc., which is exactly what one customer in Florida did where 7-Eleven first tested the product.

"One day I received a call from a woman who had purchased the product at her local 7-Eleven and was so impressed she wanted to order multiple cases to serve at an upcoming dinner party she was hosting," explained Frank Chivas, chief fruit picker for Island Way Sorbet. "I told her to talk with her local 7-Eleven store manager and order the flavors and quantities she wanted. The store called her when the delivery arrived later that week in time for her dinner party."

In informal taste tests among 7-Eleven employees the results have been unanimous. "Everybody loves them," Schumacher said. "In fact, I had some samples at home, and my young son said he would even eat his vegetables if he could have an Island Way Sorbet."

Four of the fruit varieties are low in calories and fat, ranging from 50 to 70 calories, with 7 to 13 calories from fat. The coconut sorbet has 170 calories.

"This is definitely a healthy alternative to full-fat ice creams," Schumacher said, "and the fruit flavors make it a very refreshing treat."

Island Way Sorbet can now be found in the frozen novelty case and the ice cream freezer door at participating 7-Eleven stores.

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 19,200 7-Eleven stores in 17 other countries and territories throughout the world. During 2002, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $33 billion. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com .