Take a Big Bite: Food, Beverage Aplenty at 2023 NACS Show

The 2023 NACS Show in Atlanta earlier this month rolled out the foodservice offerings—and there was something for every need.

From several varieties of frozen pizza crusts and grab-and-go egg bites to new nitro energy tea flavors and a plant-based cold foam for hot and cold beverages, the show did not disappoint in the array of offerings for convenience-store retailers.

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For related slideshows on foodservice equipment, click here as well as here.

AK Pizza Crust, Green Bay, Wisconsin, sells different frozen pizza crusts, including a self-rising crust and two parbaked versions: DeliCatezze (offering a pizzeria-style chew and lightly crisp bottom) and Authentic Wood Fired (with a robust aroma and subtle hint of smoke).

The self-rising version rises as it bakes, comes in a range of sizes, weights and recipes, has a long shelf life and fresh-based taste and aroma.

While AK makes only the crusts, it will work with clients on developing recipes. Pictured are, from left, a breakfast pizza in development, spicy Italian, and a smoked brisket bourbon BBQ.

Egg Tazzas is a new product from Wayzata, Minnesota-based Cargill. The gluten-free, 2-ounce grab-and-go item is high in protein and comes with bacon and white cheddar cheese. It comes frozen and has a hold time of up to two hours.

It can be refrigerated for three days or frozen for 270 days. It has no high-fructose corn syrup nor artificial colors or flavors. The company is working on other flavors.

Westrock Coffee, Little Rock, Arkansas, has six new flavors in its nitro energy tea lineup. The bag-in-a-box concept uses a concentrate that’s 5 parts water to 1 part concentrate. During the dispensing process, the machine adds nitrogen, which creates a foamy cascade that gives a sweeter, creamier mouthfeel.

The new flavors include Black Forest Energy, Raspberry, Peach, and Citrus Green Tea. Westrock also four new flavors of energy slushies.

Chester’s Chicken has partnered with Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls and Bread as the carrier for its new crispy marinated breast fillet.

After a customer survey, the company switched to using the bold and tangy Chester’s Sauce versus a honey butter sauce—and the sandwich also includes crunchy pickles. Chester’s is based in Birmingham, Alabama. Martin’s is in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Michael Foods, Hopkins, Minnesota, has three new offerings: The Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Mini (left) works “as an innovative carrier or as the center of the plate,” the company said.

The Waffle Carriers (center) were designed with a flat bottom on one side and a deep, Belgium-inspired grid on the other to create a stable handheld. It’s available in Sweet Maple and Savory Hash Brown.

The low-carb, high-protein Egg Bites (right) come fully cooked and are available in Three Cheeses or Bacon & Cheese.

Hot Stuff Kitchen’s Apple Pie Stuffed Bites comes frozen and take about 16 minutes to bake, depending on the oven. There’s also a Sausage, Egg & Cheese Jalapeno biscuit.

Hot Stuff is owned by OLM Food Solutions, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Gardein’s plant-based vegetarian breakfast patty comes frozen and is one of several offerings in the company’s plant-based lineup. All items are non-GMO Project Verified, vegan and kosher.

There’s no cholesterol and more fiber than beef, chicken or fish. Gardein is owned by Conagra Brands, Chicago.

On Top Oak Milk Soft Whip Pourable Topping from Buffalo, New York-based Rich Products is a plant-based cold foam for hot and cold beverages such as coffee, smoothies and sodas.

Ready to use, it offers a light texture allowing for delicious layering. It has no artificial flavors or colors. Also pictured is a naturally flavored sweet cream option.

Jimmy Dean’s Biscuit Roll-Ups include real eggs, cheese and sausage and are rolled up in a soft, flaky biscuit.

They come frozen and microwave in less than one minute; the refrigerated shelf life is five days—and the biscuits hold for four hours in a sleeve or boat. Jimmy Dean, part of Tyson Foods, is based in Springdale, Arkansas.

BirdShack Fried Chicken has two new dipping sauces: Ranch and Buffalo, each of which comes in a 1-ounce container. The company also is developing a new mac and cheese. BirdShack is owned by Chester’s Chicken, Birmingham, Alabama.

Johnsonville has added two roller-grill products to its line: the new Pizza Recipe Sausage (pictured) and the relaunched Chipotle Cheddar Sausage. Both are available now from the Sheboygan, Wisconsin-based company. During the NACS Show, Johnsonville also featured new merchandising and signage to call out its products in stores.