In anticipation of the annual National Association of Concessionaires Convention in Houston, Texas, Film Journal International offers a selective look at new products and innovations for the movie concession business.

Eisenberg
Introducing pre-sliced premium roast beef and au jus—a perfect, easy-to-serve menu addition. Eisenberg Italian seasoned beef comes pre-sliced and conveniently packed in four 2-½-lb. packages along with two packages of delicious au jus. Simple heat the au jus, dip the beef and serve on a crusty roll. (kellyeisenberg.com)

FBD
Theatre operators around the country have discovered the extreme profitability of a frozen beverage program. Add a customer favorite to your menu line-up and add cold cash to your bottom line. With an average payoff time of about one year, FBD dispensers provide great value and reliability. Focused solely on frozen beverage dispensers, FBD is the market leader with customers ranging from one-theatre operators to the largest chain in the world. For more information, visit www.fbdfrozen.com or email them at sales@fbdfrozen.com.

Gehl’s
Try Gehl’s new Restaurant-Style White Cheese Sauce. It is great for luxury box signature dips and fresh, fast, hot Philly cheese steaks. For a more traditional taste, check out Gehl’s new 190-ounce pouches of Cheddar and Jalapeno Cheese Blends. The 190-ounce pouch serves up about 63 hot, fresh servings with less frequent changeover and reduced product waste. (gehls.com)

Gold Medal Products
Gold Medal’s new PopClean poppers have built-in ventless exhaust systems. Your menu boards and projectors will thank you. This line meets or exceeds UL710B for particle emissions. The innovative system traps and filters virtually 100% of oil vapors, steam and smoke. Yet the mouth-watering aromas still escape to tempt your customers for more concession purchases. PopClean is available in 36”, 48”, 60” and 72” cabinets—the twin kettle version is available in a 72” cabinet. Other available options include energy-saving LED lighting, Ansul R102 fire suppression, salt/sweet temperature and oil control, and FlexiPop for variable corn loads. Call 800-543-0862 or e-mail info@gmpopcorn.com.

Hershey’s
Now there's a whole new way to enjoy the classic Hershey’s brands you love. Introducing the newest members of the Pieces family: Almond Joy Pieces™ are smooth milk chocolate, sweet coconut and crunchy almonds. York Pieces™ are refreshing peppermint and smooth dark chocolate in Pieces.

Available in September, Jolly Rancher Awesome Twosome™ Chews boast two bold flavors in each piece—Watermelon-Green Apple and Cherry-Orange.

Beginning in December, the iconic brands Hershey’s and Reese’s are expanding the growing hand-to-mouth segment with Hershey’s Drops™ and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Minis. They are your favorites, unwrapped and bite-sized.

Contact your Hershey’s customer sales executive or concession distributor representative for more information. (hersheysconcession.com)

The ICEE Company
The ICEE Company has all things frozen and the leading brands in the industry. Their brand names are nostalgic, iconic and fun—the portfolio includes ICEE, Slush Puppie, Parrot-Ice and Arctic Blast. ICEE offers a variety of efficient floor models and countertop equipment for all their brands. Different sales programs include lease, purchase and bundled. The ICEE Company’s service program features a nationwide, 24/7 service network. For additional information, call 800-426-4233. (icee.com)

Jimmy Products
Jimmy Products B.V., known for its all-natural popcorn, is now offering nachos, complete with delicious sauces, trays, warmers and displays. Jimmy Products offers a unique, complete “Nachos to Go” tray, available with salsa dip and cheese dip. (jimmys.eu)

Mars Chocolate
M&M’S Pretzel Chocolate Candies are a fun new way to combine sweet and salty in every bite-size piece. Each M&M’S features a crunchy, salted pretzel center covered in delicious M&M’S Brand milk chocolate and coated in a colorful candy shell. This new line extension delivers on a consumer insight that people enjoy combining M&M’S Brand Candies with savory snacks like trail mix and popcorn. According to the National Confectioners Association’s 2009 candy trend forecast, consumers are seeking sweet and savory combinations, and M&M’S Pretzel Chocolate Candies ($0.79 for 1.14-oz. singles) meet this desire. (mars.com)

Odell’s
Green popping oil? Stabilize oil prices without sacrificing great coconut flavor?

Odell’s Classic Blend popping oil is primarily grown, processed and packaged in the United States, and its carbon footprint is 60% less than that of coconut popping oil. It’s liquid at room temperature, further reducing its carbon footprint by eliminating preheating. The blend of corn and coconut oil has unmatched flavor and aroma and is lower in saturated fats.

What can it hurt to try? Contact Jo Burgoon for a sample today at jburgoon@popntop.com or 877-633-5575. (popntop.com)

PCO Group
PCO provides you the complete range for your professional slush-ice-business: first-class syrup to make ice-cold slushies, slushy machines, plus funny flutes and cups with matching straws. Let slushy be the IceKing at your counter.

The high-yielding syrups (1:7) in five different flavors and colors (wild berry, cola, peach & passion fruit, cherry, sweet woodruff) have the best taste without using any preservatives. The syrups mix comes in a bag-in-the-box system that is very hygienic and easy to store and handle. The presentation is highly promotional: attractive machines, slushy flutes and advertising material—a consistent concept. (pco-group.com)

Peter’s Pretzels
Peter’s Pretzels announces “a new twist on an old classic.” You now have an alternative offering for your pretzel program. Improve your sales with two new classic, premium pretzels: Peter’s Cinnamon-filled twisted pretzel, and the old standby Bavarian twisted pretzel. Peter’s also offers Bavarian pretzel bites that can be featured with cheese, mustard or other dipping sauces in a two-compartment plastic serving tray. These twisted pretzels are handmade, whole wheat and individually wrapped to extend freshness and increase shelf life.
Contact Peter’s Pretzels for more information at www.Peters-Pretzels.com or 256-575-2470.

Promotion in Motion
Cookie Dough Lovers rejoice—it’s Cookie Dough on the Go!™ Bake Shoppe™ Cookie Dough Miniatures™ from Promotion in Motion are true craving-quenchers. These bite-size morsels are made with butter in the batter—no hydrogenated oils—and drenched in pure milk chocolate for a taste so authentic you'll want to bake them! Theatre-goers can now delight in egg-free Bake Shoppe Cookie Dough Miniatures one mouth-watering bite at a time.

Bake Shoppe Cookie Dough Miniatures are offered in a 3.5-oz. Theatre Box and 5-oz. Peg Bag. Retail prices vary. (promotioninmotion.com, cookiedoughminis.com)

Taste of Nature
Cinnamon Bun Bites™ are the latest addition to Taste of Nature’s Cookie Dough Bites® line. Cookie Dough Bites were originally introduced as a movie theatre candy. By 2000, however, they were so popular that Taste of Nature began to market them to stores and general retailers. While Cookie Dough Bites consist of egg-free, raw chocolate-chip cookie dough covered in chocolate, Cinnamon Bun Bites feature a cinnamon bun center, covered in a yummy white-chocolatey candy coating. (candyasap.com)

Weaver Popcorn
Weaver Popcorn Company has introduced the next generation of bulk popcorn bag. Gone are the paper bags of the past which relied on cumbersome strings to open. The new poly-bag has been well-received, reports Weaver’s Jim Labas. This bag is easily opened with a “snip-it” opener, saving time and increasing efficiency. Popcorn arrives in better condition to your concession operation. This bag maintains moisture, reduces damage, and is recyclable. It’s available in both 35# and 50# bags. For more information, visit www.popweaver.com.

White Castle
Many theatres are currently selling White Castle hamburgers and cheeseburgers, but the newest craze in dining is hot and spicy. The White Castle Jalapeno cheeseburger is the perfect snack for diners craving a little heat with their burgers. They’ll be purchasing a cold beverage to go along with their spicy burger too. For additional information, contact Tim Carroll at 614-559-2453. (whitecastle.com)