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Ron Ruggless
MIAMI Burger King Corp. has completed a deal to take its BK Fresh Apple Fries, a popular item in its kids’ meals, to supermarket shelves this fall.
In a licensing deal with Crunch Pak, Burger King's Apple Fries, which are skinless apple segments cut into French fry shapes, will be available in about 10,000 grocery stores.
Burger King is the latest restaurant company to join the retail consumer product world. Longtime players include California Pizza Kitchen. T.G.I. Friday's, Claim Jumper and celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. But a growing list of relative newcomers are developing branded grocery products, or expanding existing lines, including Tony Roma's, Starbucks, Steak n Shake and Jamba Juice.
Burger King and the manufacturer said Thursday that the Apple Fries will likely be sold in $1 individual packs and multiple-serving quantities for $4 to $5. They will be available starting June 30 in the produce section with other fresh-cut fruits and vegetables and packaged with the Burger King logo.
John Schaufelberger, senior vice president for global product marketing and innovation at Burger King, said, “With more than 29 million servings sold since its launch last year, we knew we had a winner with both parents and kids alike. The popularity of this clever product is now opening up new channels for our business and providing our customers with a menu favorite in the places they shop most.”
Miami-based Burger King has more than 11,800 restaurants worldwide.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
