CHICAGO – New products from PepsiCo, Inc. meet consumer demand for bold flavors and multi-dimensional textures.

The company showcased a range of snacks and energy innovations at the National Association of Convenience Stores’ NACS 2021 show, held October 5-8 in Chicago. Both categories continue to be key growth engines for convenience stores, according to data from Pepviz, PepsiCo’s proprietary data practice of convenience stores.

This is the pivotal moment for the company’s Lay’s brand. PepsiCo is responding to young consumers’ desire for new versions of existing favorites with the launch of Lay’s Layers. With crisp layered potato bites, the new three-dimensional snack format will debut in the first quarter of 2022 in three flavors of cheese and sour cream and onion.

“One trend we’re seeing with Gen Z is that they’re all about texture, so we’re really looking at that,” said Chris Yemma, senior director of industrial relations and commercial communications at PepsiCo. “You can think of it as a multidimensional snack. We launched Doritos 3D last year and it was a huge success. It was the evolution of 3D since the 90s. “

Lay’s Layers also builds on the success of Lay’s Poppables, an advanced texture chip format with a light, crisp texture.

“Lay’s Poppables is kind of a three-dimensional chip,” Mr. Yemma said. “Layers is the next version of that. It’s rolled up and adds extra layers of crispness.

As tangy and spicy flavors continue to dominate consumer demands, PepsiCo brings a new generation of warmth to the Doritos brand. Launched in the first quarter of 2022, Doritos Flamin ‘Hot Cool Ranch marks the first time the company has applied the Flamin’ Hot flavor profile to its Doritos Cool Ranch line.

“Flamin ‘Hot was made popular thanks to the origin of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and then we first introduced it to Doritos two years ago with Doritos Flamin ‘Hot Nacho,” Mr. Yemma said. “It’s a huge engine of growth. It is extremely popular among the Gen Z population. Across the country, hot and spicy is growing like crazy. We apply Flamin ‘Hot to a number of our brands in our snack portfolio.

The Rockstar Unplugged line is new to the energy drink industry from PepsiCo. Comprised of three functional drinks, Rockstar Unplugged is designed to promote relaxation and improve mood in consumers. The sugar-free drinks contain hemp seeds as a key ingredient and come in blueberry, passion fruit, and raspberry cucumber varieties.

“It’s a smoother, smoother version of the traditional Rockstar,” Mr. Yemma said. “I think it’s a one-day experience. If you think of traditional Rockstar, it’s later night that really amplified the brand’s attributes with associations with action sports and games. Unplugged is essentially a different mood.

PepsiCo shared its intention to launch Baya Energy, a line of energy drinks created in partnership with Starbucks Corp. Few details are available on the new line, but Yemma said Baya Energy drinks will serve 16 mg of caffeine and antioxidant vitamin C.

PepsiCo also introduced the new Rockstar Energy Fruit Punch on fountain, as well as Rockstar Frozen Energy Fruit Punch, which will hit nationwide in convenience stores next spring.

“Energy in general for our business is a high priority,” Mr. Yemma said. “This is the n ° 1 category apart from alcohol and convenience tobacco. You are going to continue to see a lot of energy driven innovation.

New products from PepsiCo’s staple drink platform include Nitro Pepsi, which the company calls “the first nitrogen-infused cola.” Squeezed out, the mild version of a classic soft drink will be available in a canned format in retail stores next year.

In 2022, Mtn Dew will launch Mtn Dew Spark and Spark Zero, taking the popular flavor of raspberry lemonade and giving it a bold and refreshing twist. Hard Mtn Dew, the brand’s first alcoholic innovation, will be launched in collaboration with Boston Beer Co. next year.